Beach headed to Chicago
Published 9:47 pm Friday, June 20, 2008
Tips forward Kyle Beach was just selected 11th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL draft.
Eleventh is right in the range of where Beach was projected to go, though I didn’t see a lot of speculation that Chicago was specifically where he was going to go. The Blackhawks have lot of good young talent, but haven’t won in a while. It may be the type of team Beach could play for next season.
More later …
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So it may not be a surprise that Beach was taken by Chicago. Check out what Blackhawks GM Dale Tallon was quoted saying about Beach in this morning’s Chicago Sun-Times:
“He’s a big, tough power forward who’s a little different. He’s volatile and pisses people off. That’s not a bad thing. We’ve got some assets now. We can be a little choosier and take some risks on somebody who could really help. We’ve had to take safe, solid picks the last four years.”
Despite being one of the last players mentioned in the story, Beach was the only one Tallon is quoted about. And for what it’s worth, Tips GM Doug Soetaert confirmed that the Blackhawks were one of the teams that showed a lot of interest before the draft.
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OK, got off the phone with Beach a little while ago. Here’s a quick summary of what he had to say:
– He’s excited about getting drafted (obviously).
– He sounded particularly excited to be drafted by Chicago. He works out in Vancouver with Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook, who’s had nothing but good things to say about the organization. He likes the idea of possibly playing on a line with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews some day. And he’s excited about the fact that Chicago has shown a willingness to keep young guys on the roster.
– It was no surprise that Chicago was the team that selected him. The Blackhawks were the only team that told him outright they’d take him if he was available.
– He’s hoping to be able to participate at Chicago’s rookie camp beginning July 6. He’s only recently resumed training after undergoing hernia surgery in April.
– And, of course, he’s hoping to make the Blackhawks roster in the coming season.
So that’s the third straight year Everett’s had a first-round NHL draft pick, the only WHL team that can currently claim that. We’ll have to wait and see if any other Tips are selected tomorrow.
