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Saginaw Spirit

Spirit Acquire OHL Champion, World Junior Gold Medalist Owen Beck from Peterborough

January 8, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit have announced the acquisition of center Owen Beck from the Peterborough Petes Monday evening. In exchange, Peterborough receives forward Aiden Young, Ottawa's second round pick in 2025, Saginaw's second round pick in 2027, and Mississauga's third round pick in 2026.

"We're thrilled that we can add a player of Owen Beck's caliber to an already elite group," said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. "He's already proven himself as a winner, boosting Peterborough to an OHL Championship and helping Team Canada to World Junior Gold last season. We know Owen will be a huge asset in the pursuit of our ultimate goal this season."

Beck, 19, was selected 33rd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Port Hope, Ont. native currently 30 points (16G, 14A) through 25 games with Peterborough this season. A deadline addition by the Petes last season, Beck had eight goals and eight assists in the playoffs enroute to winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions. During Peterborough's appearance at the 2023 Memorial Cup, he added a goal and two assists in five games.

On the international stage, Beck was a late addition to Team Canada's 2023 World Junior roster that won Gold in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Coupled with five games wearing an 'A' at this year's tournament in Gothenburg, Sweden, Beck has a goal and an assist in eight games of World Junior action.

Heading to Peterborough in the trade is Aiden Young, Saginaw's first-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection. In his first 27 games of OHL action, Young has a goal and seven assists for eight points.

"It will always be difficult saying goodbye to players," Drinkill continued. "Especially ones with the character and potential of Aiden Young. We wish him the best as he continues his development into an elite player in our league."

Owen Beck was originally drafted 29th overall by the Mississauga Steelheads in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. His 21G-30A-51P during his rookie season earned him a spot on the OHL's Second All-Rookie Team. That year, a 94% school average made him the Scholastic Player of the Year in both the OHL and CHL.

The following season, he amassed 24 goals and 42 assists for 66 points in 60 games between the Steelheads and Peterborough Petes. The busiest season of his hockey career to date also saw him win World Junior Gold, the OHL Championship, and make his NHL debut with Montreal on January 28th, 2023 in Ottawa. At the end of the year, he was named to the OHL's Third All-Star Team.

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