There’s last-minute travel and then there’s what John Beecher went through on Tuesday.
After being placed on waivers by the Boston Bruins on Monday, the 24-year-old knew there was a possibility he’d be claimed by another NHL team, but it wasn’t until 2 p.m. ET that he found out he was now a member of the Calgary Flames.
That’s a big change, both professionally and personally. There wasn’t much time for processing it, though.
Beecher had a flight to catch.
“I got the call right around 2 o’clock and I had to scramble and get everything packed and get to the airport for a 5:30 flight,” Beecher explained. “I’m doing good, but the day’s been a whirlwind. I haven’t even been able to sit down and think about it, but I’m super excited.
“I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for me and it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Beecher flew to Buffalo to join up with his new teammates, who were playing Tuesday night in Chicago and will take on the Sabres in the second game of a back-to-back on Wednesday evening.
Reports out of Western New York indicated the Flames were intending to slot Beecher into the lineup right away on a line with Sam Morton and Adam Klapka.
It’s a fourth-line role and that’s probably where we should be expecting to see Beecher for the most part.
Selected in the first round, 30th overall, of the 2019 NHL Draft and standing at 6-foot-4 while weighing in at 220 lbs., Beecher is a big, physical centre who excels at the defensive side of the game.
His offensive numbers don’t jump out and he has picked up only 11 goals and 11 assists in 136 games, but he should add depth down the middle to a Flames team that could use it.
“Everybody’s got roles and what you’re looking for, what he brings is things we’re missing,” Flames GM Craig Conroy said Tuesday. “We hope he can chip in offensively, but that’s not why we got him. It’s more the faceoffs, the penalty-kill, hard matchups and just to bring more speed to the team. He’s a really good skater for his size.”
For Beecher, getting claimed by the Flames represents a big opportunity. They might be in last place, but the team hasn’t settled on a fourth-line centre.
Justin Kirkland started the year there, but has been sent down to the Calgary Wranglers in the AHL. Connor Zary never looked comfortable in the role and should benefit from being moved back to the wing as he tries to find his game. Sam Morton impressed in his second NHL game on Tuesday against the Blackhawks, but is inexperienced.
A guy like Beecher — who has played in only six games for the Bruins this season — getting claimed on waivers should give him a shot at consistent playing time and a defined role.
That he’s friends with a few of the guys on the Flames roster only will help the transition. Beecher and Joel Farabee both played on the U.S. National Development Team Development Program Juniors in 2017-18. He and Matt Coronato both went to the Salisbury School and have mutual friends, and Beecher was also teammates with Dustin Wolf at the 2020 IIHF world junior championship.
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There’s a familiarity there and it should help Beecher settle in quickly in Calgary. No concerns there.
He has excited about the opportunity and the Flames are thrilled to have been able to bring Beecher in.
Really, the only concern on Tuesday was catching his flight and making sure he was properly packed.
“I don’t really know how it all works,” Beecher said with a laugh. “I’m hoping my girlfriend back in Boston, she might be able to do some of the heavy lifting. It’s new to us and it’s definitely a whirlwind. It comes quick.”
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