Victoria-born Owen Beckner, a 20-year-old centre, is making waves in his freshman year with the Colorado College Eagles.

Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Beckner has shown promise and adaptability in his first collegiate season.

Through 32 games, Beckner has scored six goals and added 18 assists for 24 points, second on the team, only trailing Max Burkholder. 

Reflecting on his transition from the USHLB次元官网网址檚 Tri-City Storm to the NCAA, Beckner said his coaches and teammates have been pivotal in his transition to division one hockey. 

"Coming into your freshman year of college, you don't really know what to expect," said Beckner. "You know you are going to be playing against older, bigger and faster players, but you don't really know how you're going to fit into the systems and adjust to the pace of play. My coaches and teammates have made me feel so comfortable on and off the ice." 

The pace of play has been the most significant change for Beckner, who notes that each step up in competition has meant quicker games.

B次元官网网址淚 instantly noticed the difference in pace during the first game of the season. You always feel the pace change when you change leagues, but this really jumped out to me," said Beckner. "For me, I think the game has really helped throughout the adjustment.B次元官网网址�  

Off the ice, Beckner is enjoying his academics. HeB次元官网网址檚 enrolled in business, economics, and sociology courses at Colorado College, where their unique block system has made balancing academics and athletics more manageable.

B次元官网网址淚 chose Colorado College because it is a place where I see myself excelling academically and in my athletic pursuits,' said Beckner. "The combination of being in a beautiful place like Colorado Springs and the campus' inviting community made my decision easy.B次元官网网址�

With the Eagles sitting at a 17-14-1 record and fifth place in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), Beckner is looking ahead to a high-stakes end to the regular season.

The team will face off against their rivals, Denver University, on March 7 and 8.

"It's going to be a big one," said Beckner. "Historically, this battle with Denver has gone back a very long time. There is definitely some bad blood between the two sides. We take these games very seriously, whether it's game one, or game 30."

Following the regular season, Beckner and the Eagles will shift focus to the NCHC playoffs, beginning March 14, with hopes of making it to the 2025 Frozen Four in St. Louis, Missouri, from April 10 to 12.