Montreal Canadiens prospect Owen Beck added to Canada’s world junior team

Forward Owen Beck has been added to Canada’s roster for the remainder of the World Junior Championship, with Canada set to play Slovakia on Monday at 6:30 PM ET.

Beck replaces Chicago Blackhawks prospect Colton Dach, who will miss the rest of the tournament with an apparent arm injury.

Beck will wear No. 8 with Canada as the playoffs kick off next week.

The 18-year-old has never represented Canada internationally but was cut on the final day of selection camp this year. A powerful skater, Beck was lost in the sea of high-quality centremen, but should bring energy and offense to Canada’s bottom-six.

Beck has 17 goals and 40 points in 30 games with the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads, following up on a 51-point rookie season. Beck signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens after a successful training camp in the fall, where he became one of the last cuts. The Habs drafted Beck 33rd overall in 2022, and he quickly became one of the better prospects in the team’s system.

The Canadians went 3-1 during the round-robin, losing to Czechia in the opener before going three-straight. Canada currently has five players in the top 10 in WJC scoring, led by Connor Bedard’s near-historic 18-point run in just four games. Canada finished second in Group A, with the Czechs taking the top spot on the basis of the win against Canada.