It’s that time of year again when teams are signing players out of college. Last year, the Sharks landed Collin Graf, among others. This year, Sharks’ 2022 draftee Cam Lund signed when his season with Northeastern ended, and now there’s another signing: defenseman Noah Beck. If his name sounds somewhat familiar, it’s likely because Beck was once part of the St. Louis Blues’ prospect pool. The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler considered Beck to be one of the Blues’ top prospects in 2024. The Blues ranked 14th in the prospect pool rankings that season, with Beck coming in as the team’s 12th best prospect.
However, the Blues decided not to sign the 2020 seventh-round pick at the end of his 2023-24 season at Clarkson University. So the 6-foot-3, 205-pound, right-shot defenseman from Richmond Hill, Ontario decided to join Arizona State University and resume his collegiate hockey career.
The 24-year-old Beck led the ASU Sun Devils defensemen this season with 33 points (5 G, 28 A) and was selected to the All-NCHC second team. His season at ASU, coupled with his four seasons with Clarkson, led to 89 points in 181 college games.
Beck is a bit more mature than other players coming out of college, but a one-year, entry-level contract with the Sharks that doesn’t kick in until next season gives the team a good chance to see if they can develop him into an NHL regular.
What do the Sharks get in Beck?
Let’s start out with what The Athletic’s Wheeler saw in Beck when grading him for the 2024 prospect pool. Wheeler reported that Beck turned heads as a potential steal in the seventh round of 2020 after successful sophomore and junior seasons at Clarkson.
That said, Beck’s senior season dropped off. Wheeler reported it was a “struggle,” likely because Beck was playing heavy minutes (about 22 per game). His time on ice diminished as the season wore on. Wheeler thought it was so-so one whether Beck would get an NHL contract after his fourth season with Clarkson. Wheeler said Beck needed to “re-find” his game.
As for attributes, Wheeler wrote: “… he’s got a good stick and his length helps keep play to the outside and disrupt opposing carriers.”
As we’ve said, the Blues didn’t sign Beck and he went back to college to improve his game. Just a few months ago, The Athletic’s Corey Pronman called Beck a “long shot” to make the NHL. That said, Pronman called Beck’s size “intriguing,” as was his offensive upside. However, Pronman believed Beck’s skating is “a major red flag,” and there’s no indication of how his game will translate to the NHL.
Still, like Graf, the Sharks did not have to give up a pick or trade anything to acquire Beck. It’s a gamble that may or may not pan out. The Sharks have a few things going for them. Beck is a right-hand shot defenseman with some offensive upside. Add to that Beck’s size, and there might be more value there than we know.
Beck’s Golden Knights connection
Finally, if you see Beck’s name mentioned in the same sentence as the Golden Knights, don’t worry. Clarkson University’s mascot is the Golden Knight, so Beck played for the Golden Knights for four seasons, just not the NHL version that Sharks fans hate.
Don’t hold it against the kid.
Another bit of trivia: Beck has two siblings. Older brother, Connor Beck, played division III hockey for SUNY – Cortland. He stopped playing at the end of the 2019-20 season. Younger brother, Jack Beck, was drafted in the sixth round in 2021 by the Calgary Flames. Jack currently plays with the Wheeling Nailers in the ECHL.
