He went through the NHL draft process once, twice, three times before Ondrej Becher would hear his name called by the Detroit Red Wings during the 2024 NHL entry draft.
Par for the course, as far as he was concerned. And yet more fuel to stoke the fire of his hunger to prove everyone wrong about him.
“All of that helped motivate me to work harder and harder,” Becher told Czech website iSport. “For example, I only got into the draft on the third try.”
Ondrej Becher shorthanded on a breakaway!🇨🇿🚨 @czehockey #WorldJuniors #CZEFIN pic.twitter.com/XL5Grrt1kg
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) January 5, 2024
Detroit chose Becher 80th overall on draft day a year ago. That was following a 32-goal, 96-point season for Becher with the WHL Prince George Cougars.
Becher also collected 19 points in 15 WHL playoff games that spring. Red Wings’ bird dogs got plenty of chances to put their eyeballs on the Czech forward. His club wound up squaring off against Portland, the team of Detroit’s 2023 first-round pick Nate Danielson, in the WHL conference finals.
“His skating is something that when you watch him play, he has that extra gear,” Detroit assistant GM and director of amateur scouting Kris Draper said. “You watch him and he’s able to bring that speed and skill set.”
Red Wings Hopeful Enjoyed Solid AHL Debut
Slowed by an ankle injury at the start of last season, Becher would manage to accumulate 10-10-20 totals in 59 AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Similar to his time in Prince George, Becher, 21, was left to earn every minute of his ice time with the Griffins. And he’s fine with that.
🚨ONDREJ BECHER🚨 On the breakaway puts the Griffins up 6-2.
Rockford has now pulled the goalie. In goes Grabko…#GoGRG #LGRW pic.twitter.com/5OmEtXewbQ
— Hockeytown West Podcast (@HockeytownWpod) April 5, 2025
“I had to fight for it,” Becher said. “I started on the third and fourth lines. The beginnings were very difficult, but I worked every day and earned my place.”
The Red Wings saw how Becher’s trajectory in the WHL steadily increased with each season. They think he can develop in a similar manner as a pro with the Griffins.
“One of those late bloomers,” Draper said. “He’s just of starting to come into his own and starting to feel comfortable about the type of player that he could possibly be.”