Johnny Beecher heads to Boston’s training camp this week after playing well at the Prospects Challenge.
BUFFALO – The Bruins rookies finished the Prospects Challenge with a 1-2 record after losing to the New Jersey Devils youngsters, 4-2, on Monday morning.
Curtis Hall and Brett Harrison, with his third of the tournament, scored the Boston goals. William Rousseau played the first two periods and gave up one goal. Samuel St. Hilaire took over in the third period and gave up two goals. The Devils added an empty netter near the end.
“A lot of the guys showed really well. At times it’s a tough tournament, too. Some of the older guys are banging the rust off, getting ready for main camp,” said coach Ryan Mougenel.
“Now the real bullets start to fly. Some of those guys that are going to push for a job, they might have a little bit of a leg up just because they’ve been getting bumped around a little bit and are understanding what it’s going to take to compete.”
Here are quick hits on three players.
JOHNNY BEECHER
Beecher played two games at center and one on the wing. While he didn’t have any goals, he did a lot of things right.
Finished his checks, won faceoffs, took care of details. In short, he was engaged.
On Monday, several times New Jersey defensemen were in full retreat when Beecher sped up the ice with the puck.
“That’s part of the growth of Beech. His speed is a gift. If he can create those races, he’s creating tons of anxiety for D. It’s taken some time,” said Mougenel. “I think, at the NHL level, you realize pretty quickly that’s going to be a little bit of his strength. Chipping the puck in, using the ice behind (the D), using his legs and pushing the D back and creating some space.”
Beecher had a lot to do with Boston’s second goal even though he wasn’t even on the ice.
“The goal only happens because Beech hunts (a Devils player) down, they ice the puck, we get an offensive zone faceoff (leading to the goal.) It’s things like that that he does that have value. When players start understanding the value of their gifts, they can build an identify. He’s doing that.”
Beecher should have plenty of confidence heading into Boston’s training camp.
MIKE CALLAHAN
Callahan was solid as a rock in both games he played.
He “showed that he’s kind of outgrown the tournament. He was outstanding,” Mougenel said.
“I hope he carries that into the main camp and understands that he’s come a long way and I think he’s ready to push. I’m excited for him.”
In Providence, Callahan had the usual ebbs and flows that rookies face last year. His performance in Buffalo indicates that he’s ready to take the next stop.
“He’s always been a very responsible and safe player. He completes a lot of plays. He’s first back on pucks, makes a lot of positive plays, and then he’s got a certain hardness that wasn’t necessarily built into him. He’s put it into his DNA. Kudos to him. He’s really bought into how we play. The other part of it for Cally is he’s a high-quality person,” Mougenel said.
“We’re going to count on him to be that leader (in Providence this season). We think that highly of the person and the player. I’m excited about his growth and his development. He’s put the time in and now we’re starting to see it.”
GEORGII MERKULOV
Coming off a tremendous rookie year in Providence, Merkulov was not at his best in Buffalo, though he did flash his considerable offensive skill with a perfect pass to Luke Toporowski off the rush for a goal on Friday against Pittsburgh.
He’ll have to be a lot better in Boston’s camp if he expects to challenge for an NHL job.
“We were fortunate enough to see him play last year, we know what he’s capable of. He’s one of those players – it’s a tough tournament for a player like Merk. I was hoping he could see the puck go in the net and build his confidence a little bit,” said Mougenel.
“Now it’s pen to paper, it’s rubber to road for Merk. He’s going to get an opportunity. He’s definitely a (Jim Montgomery) type of player, thinks the game extremely well.”
Playing in the defensive zone will be the key.
“You want to be a center in the National Hockey League? You have to buy into how we play in our own end. And that’s up to Merk now,” said Mougenel.