The Calgary Flames have bolstered their roster by claiming centre John Beecher off waivers from the Boston Bruins. The move, confirmed on Tuesday, adds a young, physical presence to the team's forward group.
A Rare Opportunity
It's not often that a 24-year-old centre with first-round draft pedigree becomes available for nothing. When the Bruins placed John Beecher on waivers on Monday, the Flames saw a valuable opportunity to add depth without giving up assets.
The Elmira, N.Y., native brings significant size to the lineup, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 lbs.. His physical playing style should add a different dimension to Calgary's forward corps.
Beecher's NHL Journey
Selected 30th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Beecher spent two seasons developing at the University of Michigan before turning professional. He split time between the AHL's Providence Bruins and the NHL club before spending the entire 2024-25 season in the NHL.
While his offensive numbers haven't been eye-popping—11 goals and 11 assists in 136 career games—Beecher established himself as a reliable penalty killer in Boston. He signed a one-year, US$900,000 contract extension with the Bruins this past offseason.
Where Beecher Fits in Calgary
The Flames have established centres in Nazem Kadri, Morgan Frost, and Mikael Backlund anchoring their top three lines. Beecher will likely compete for the fourth-line centre role against players like Sam Morton, who was recently called up from the AHL's Wranglers, and Justin Kirkland, who was recently reassigned to the AHL.
At 24 years old, Beecher is two years younger than Morton and five years younger than Kirkland. The Flames are hoping that a change of scenery and his first-round talent will help unlock more of his potential at the NHL level.
