Fan In Van

Draft Countdown: Kyle Beach

With the NHL Entry Draft a mere ten days away, it is now time to start profiling some of the names you’re going to hear for the next while. The NHL Draft is both an opportunity for general managers to place building blocks for their team’s future and also a sense of graduation for eighteen year olds who have been dreaming of one day playing in the NHL.

Today, we’re looking at Kyle Beach of the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips. After consensus number one pick Steven Stamkos, Beach may be a darkhorse to crack an NHL team in training camp in September. The Vancouver Canucks, who are selecting at number ten, may possibly look at taking this Kelowna, BC product. And now, the dirt on Beach.

The Skinny: At 6′3” and 203 pounds, Kyle Beach has an NHL body. Unlike many of his other draft counterparts in the first round, Beach plays the style of a true power forward, muscling his way past defenders with his heavy shot. He has also shown a nasty side in his play, willing to drop the gloves with anyone (including ex-Vancouver Giant Milan Lucic). In addition, Beach possesses a wealth of talent which could see him excel in the NHL.

The Statistics: (Courtesy of nhlentrydraft2008.com)

Finished second overall in goals and third overall in points (27-33–60) on the Everett Silvertips in 2007-08.

Was the only player in the WHL in 2007-08 to average a point-per-game while averaging over three penalty minutes per-game (3.7) — the next closest player is Kelowna’s Brandon Leavold, who averaged a point per-game with 2.36 penalty minutes per-game.

They Said It: (Courtesy of nhlentrydraft2008.com)

“Kyle Beach is one of the top forwards in this year’s draft and is probably the most competitive – from the blue line in there is no one that competes like him. He’s feisty, he’s got a reputation for being physical and agitating a little bit, but he definitely ranks in there as a power forward and is the power forward in this year’s draft. He has good scoring skills and a very accurate shot, and from the blue line in, once he gets the puck, he almost owns it.” - Blair MacDonald, NHL Central Scouting

“Kyle is a really unique player, probably the most unique player in the draft this year in the fact that he plays a difficult game and is a difficult player to play against. He’s physical, he’s strong, he has skill, he has every dimension needed to be a power forward in the National Hockey League.” - John Becanic, Everett Silvertips Head Coach

The Knock: Alright, so by now you’ve figured out that Beach is your prototypical NHL power forward. He plays physical, he fights, and he can get downright dirty if needed; and while those are some vital things in the NHL, they can also be his downfall. Fighting and playing a reckless game has resulted in two concussions for Kyle Beach. He is also recovering from a sports hernia injury which saw his play drastically limited in the second half of the season.

The Video:

The Verdict: Kyle Beach is a wonderful player, but the fact remains his concussion problems are a bit of concern. There are whispers that his attitude is lacking, but that can easily be corrected with proper maturity and the right atmosphere. All that being said, Beach is talented, and he has a burning desire to win, a trait that hasn’t been seen in Canuck draft picks since Ryan Kesler was taken in 2003. It is so rare these days to see a homegrown British Columbia product who plays a tenacious and talented game. As a Canuck fan, I am hoping Mike Gillis takes a long and hard look at what Kyle Beach can offer to the club.