The Boston Bruins have seemingly lucked into a future top-six center if John Beecher’s performances lately are anything to go by.
In the World Junior Summer Showcase, John Beecher has been a stand-out performer for Team USA; something that the Boston Bruins scouting staff are no doubt incredibly excited by.
Although committed to the University of Michigan next season and thus at least a year off making a true impact on the Boston Bruins roster, John Beecher is proving not to be a reach at 30th overall but rather a steal if his current performances are anything to go by.
Obviously, we shouldn’t make our final judgement on the player based on a summer tournament against fellow youngsters, but the skill set he’s displaying certainly looks as if it may translate well a few years down the track in the professional game.
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To go with his breakaway goal against Team Sweden on Saturday, he added two more goals in Team USA’s win over Team Finland. The first of these gives us an idea of exactly the kind of center he projects to be; using his size and body to create the smallest amount of net-front separation and tip in the shot. The second saw him simply skate into the slot and swipe.
The Boston Bruins prospect also grabbed a secondary assist on Ottawa Senators’ prospect and son of one-time Bruins defenseman, Johnny Gruden’s opening goal of the 7-1 rout.
This brings John Beecher to a tally of three goals and one assist in his two games for the USA Blue side and has led to him making the full Team USA side for the rest of the tournament.
Looking at the make-up of that roster, John Beecher is an absolute beast compared to other players his age. The Boston Bruins prospect is both the heaviest forward and the tallest, though he shares the second title with fellow Bruins draft and NCAA commit, Curtis Hall.
Whilst it’s far too early to go suggesting he makes the team out of camp, if John Beecher does indeed find himself at the Boston Bruins training camp, I believe he will make a bit of impact. A player with his size and as adept at using his body and creating a presence as well as having a turn of speed despite his height, doesn’t typically fall in the draft.
Perhaps having such a talented group of centers in the US development program this year has actually been the biggest lucky break for the Boston Bruins, who may well have found a long-term replacement for David Krejci.