WJC 2023 Report: Beck Logical Replacement for Injured Dach

Just as in October with the Montreal Canadiens’ main training camp, Owen Beck was one of the final cuts from Team Canada’s selection camp. He had never represented Canada internationally before and was in tough with so many high-quality centers available to Hockey Canada. It was a personal disappointment for the 18-year-old center who was a 2022 second-round selection of the Canadiens. A disappointment he likely felt would have to wait until the next tournament to be remedied. 

Beck now gets to live a dream much sooner than expected as he got the call to replace Colton Dach who was injured during the Dec 31 game versus Sweden. Of all the players to replace Dach on the roster, why would Canada select Beck? There are several reasons. 

Canada Loses Colton Dach 

Dach was an important part of Team Canada’s game plan at the 2023 World Junior Championship (WJC). Unfortunately for him, his dream of playing for Canada has come to an end for this tournament after suffering a shoulder injury. Sadly, there’s an oddly reminiscent aspect to this as his brother, Canadiens center Kirby Dach suffered a significant wrist injury at the 2021 WJC.

Beck can read and anticipate plays over the entire 200 feet of the ice surface. His hockey IQ, mobility, speed, and vision also help him to play an effective penalty-killing and shutdown center role. As a reliable two-way pivot and energy player, he is exactly what Canada will need moving forward and he has very little time to prepare as he will be in uniform when they face off against Team Slovakia in the Quarterfinals on Jan. 2, 2023.