The Montreal Canadiens announced today that they have signed forward Jesse Beck to a three-year entry-level contract. The team also announced that they have released seven players from training camp.
Beck, 20, was signed by the Canadiens after attending the team’s development camp in July. He spent the last four seasons playing for the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League, scoring 128 goals and adding 134 assists in 239 games.
Last season, Beck scored 37 goals and added 39 assists in 53 games. He was named the BCHL’s Most Valuable Player and led the Vees to the league championship.
The Canadiens have high hopes for Beck, who they see as a potential top-six forward in the NHL. He will probably start the season in the AHL with the St. John’s IceCaps, but could be called up to the NHL during the season.
The seven players released from training camp are forwards Daniele Audetto, Hunter Shinkaruk, and Michael McCarron, defencemen Simon Bourque and Tom Paris, and goalies Zach Fucale and Charlie Lindgren.
Audette, 20, was a fifth-round pick by the Canadiens in 2014. He had a strong training camp, but with the team already loaded with forwards, he was the odd man out. He’ll likely start the season in the AHL with the IceCaps.
Shinkaruk, 22, was gained by the Canadiens in a trade with the Calgary Flames last season. He had a solid camp, but with the team already having too many forwards, he was also sent to the AHL.
McCartney, 22, is an enormous body who can also play defence. He was a first-round pick by the Canadiens in 2013. He had a decent camp, but with the team already having too many forwards and defencemen, he was also sent to the AHL.
Bourque, 20, was a sixth-round pick by the Canadiens in 2015. He’s an excellent skater with good offensive instincts. He’ll likely start the season in the AHL with the IceCaps.
Parisi, 23, was signed as a free agent by the Canadiens in 2016. Howsoever good size. He’ll likely start the season in the AHL with the IceCaps.
Fucale, 21, was a second-round pick by the Canadiens in 2013. He’s a good goalie, but with the team already having Carey Price and Al Montoya, he was the odd man out. He’ll start the season in the AHL with the IceCaps.
Lindgren, 22, was signed as a free agent by the Canadiens in 2016. He’s a good goalie, but with the team already having Price and Montoya, he was the odd man out. He’ll start the season in the AHL with the IceCaps.
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