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John Beecher’s path to Boston begins back at Michigan |
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John Beecher is planning on returning to Michigan in the fall for his junior season, and for obvious reasons.
Between the COVID-19 pandemic prematurely ending his season two years ago, and shoulder surgery last season doing the same, Beecher is much looking forward to what is hopefully a full and healthy junior season—likely is last at Michigan.
The injury occurred before the season began, proving to be an issue all season long and eventually forcing surgery.
“We were just doing a battle drill in practice, and it was just kind of a freak accident, my arm got stuck on one of the guys and he kind of pulled one way, I pulled the other and my shoulder just subluxed,” Beecher said earlier this week as he joined fellow prospects at development camp.
“So, it was just kind of a freak accident and just kind of happens with this sport. So, I just kind of played throughout the year with it and dealt with it as it came.”
The powerhouse that Michigan should be this season is surely another reason behind his decision to return to school, forgoing an opportunity to sign with the Bruins and play professionally.
The Wolverines will feature a roster that includes four of the first five picks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Beecher too was a first-round pick by the Bruins, 30th overall in 2019.
"It's an exciting year coming up, for sure. We have so much skill on the front end and a lot of depth with our D. I'm really looking forward to it,” Beecher said of his team at Michigan.
“Coming back as a junior, I don't know how it's happened, but the time is flying by. I want to be a huge leader on this team, especially for the younger guys that are just getting on campus and trying to get their footing in there.”
Still just 20, Beecher is a bright spot in what’s turning out to be bleak pipeline of prospects in the organization at center. At 6-foot-3 and 210-pounds, Beecher has some speed to his game.
The timetable on getting Beecher to Boston, or plan if you will, could move in several different directions, depending on how things go at Michigan and how things go in Boston.
With the departure of David Krejci, players like Charlie Coyle, Jack Studnicka and Trent Frederic moving up the depth chart, a Beecher signing, and debut in Boston could soon be on the horizon.
For Beecher and the Bruins an ideal scenario sees Beecher return to school with Michigan, win a national championship, sign with the Bruins and help them in what should be the final stages of a playoff push.
Perfect scenario? Yes
Impossible? No
"I think time will tell with him, his skating is obviously high-end," said Bruins Director of Player Development Jamie Langenbrunner. “I think for him, whether he's going to end up as a second-line guy, or a third-line guy, or fourth-line guy will depend on how quickly he gets those details in, how his consistency is there night in and night out that's going to make a coach happy and give him opportunity.”
With limited collegiate games under his belt, Beecher knows there is much more to learn and much more for him to add to his game before he can make an impact in professional hockey.
His junior season in Michigan should allow him to do just that.
"The biggest thing still is the off-ice part of the game, building my hockey IQ, knowing when to put pucks where and being better away from the puck, better finishing - just little things like that, that will make a big difference down the road," said Beecher.
Adversity has gotten in Beecher’s way the past two seasons. Now, with a Michigan squad that everyone will be projecting as the favorite to win a national title, things won’t get any easier for Beecher.
His upcoming season is going to a big show me season for the 20-year old.
"I feel like I'm gaining more and more confidence every year. Obviously with the surgery it limited me a little bit this past season in what I could do and what I was comfortable with on the ice,” Beecher said.
“But this upcoming season, I'm sure when we get back in the swing of things and I get comfortable out there again it will be a lot of fun."
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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