Looking back on Beck
A look back on Taylor Beck and the four years that saw the former Guelph Storm forward become one of the greatest in the organization’s 25-year history.
Steph Coratti, GuelphStorm.com —
Taylor Beck doesn’t focus too much on the individual, even when you ask him to.
For a player who once recorded a six-point effort in a Guelph Storm victory over the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds during the 2010-11 season, Beck zeroes in on his entire major junior career experience when it comes to the question of individual accomplishments.
“The whole experience was great for me,” Beck, who played four seasons with the Storm, responded when asked what he was most proud of. “I definitely grew as a player and that helped me get to where I am today in becoming a professional hockey player.”
Starting out with 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) through 56 games in his rookie campaign in 2007-08, Beck would certainly grow, becoming one of the most offensively dominant players to pull on the crimson jersey, finishing with 267 points in 246 career games.
The breakout would begin, as it usually does, in Beck’s sophomore season, seeing the six-foot-two, 203-pound forward surpass the 50-point mark with 58 on the season.
“That was our draft year, and it’s obviously a really big year,” Beck said of the 2008-09 season. “We had some really good coaches and with a lot of skilled players who really helped me have that break out year.”
There was one person in particular, however, who Beck remembers to have been key in being selected in the third round (70th overall) by the Nashville Predators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
“Jason Brooks was our coach that year and he gave us a lot of opportunities in every situation,” the St. Catharine’s, Ontario native explained. “He taught us a lot of things about both sides of the puck, and he would always put us in the right situations.”
Beck followed up his sophomore effort of 58 points, impressively, with back-to-back seasons of 90-plus points, registering 93 points in 2009-10 and then a career-best 95 points (42 goals, 53 assists) in his final major junior campaign.
Looking at the overall success on the ice, Beck is quick to recognize those behind the scenes who made it a very real possibility.
“My billets were absolutely amazing to me,” Beck said of Mike and Lisa Robertson, who he lived with for three seasons. “They took me in as part of their family, and were a huge part of everything.”
There was no hesitation in spreading the credit to those lining up beside him, either.
“Hockey wise, playing with [Michael Latta] and [Peter Holland] for awhile – all on the same line and power play and stuff, it really helped us as players and we made each other better every day.”
Now a member of the New York Islanders’ organization, Beck very much knows the foundation that he is able to stand on today.
“Playing in the OHL, and then playing in Guelph which is one of the best organizations you could play for, was very instrumental in helping me become a professional hockey player,” Beck explained. “I stepped right in at the young age of 20, and it definitely prepared me at an early age and I can’t say enough about the Guelph Storm for that.”
There is one thing, though, that Beck wishes could have been a little bit different during his four year tenure with the Storm.
“I wish we won a little bit more,” he said, adding that no matter what, it was always a great time at the rink. “But playing in Guelph was easily one of the best times of my life.”
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Taylor Beck
- Guelph Storm, 2007-2008
- OHL Totals: 246 games played, 110 goals, 157 assists, 267 points
- Playoffs: 22 games played, six goals, eight assists, 14 points
- Once recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in a single game (vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Feb. 21, 2011)
- Named 11th all-time forward in Guelph Storm history
- Selected in the third round (70th overall) by the Nashville Predators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
- Two NHL seasons and active
- NHL Totals (to date): 85 games played, 11 goals, 12 assists, 23 points
- NHL Teams: Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders (present)
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Jeff O’Neill Night, November 21 vs. Kitchener Rangers
The Guelph Storm will honour Jeff O’Neill on Nov. 21 at the Sleeman Centre by raising #92 to the raftors in an on-ice ceremony prior to the game against the Kitchener Rangers. The game will be the hockey club’s first homecoming game for Storm alumni and their families. Get your tickets to a special moment in Storm history here!
