Barry Beck

Lore & Background

Beck began his junior career with one game for the Kamloops Chiefs in 1973–74 before being traded to the New Westminster Bruins in June 1974 for Barry Melrose, Gary Plamondon, and Dan Clark. In 1975–76 he scored 19 goals and 99 points with a team-high 325 penalty minutes. The following season his point totals dipped to 62, but the Bruins won the 1977 Memorial Cup and Beck was chosen as tournament MVP. He opted to move to the NHL over the WHA and started with the Colorado Rockies.

Colorado Rockies

In his rookie season he set an NHL record for goals by a defenceman (22) and helped the Rockies reach their first-ever playoff berth. Beck recalled that in Colorado there was little pressure, hardly any media coverage, and few fans, which he enjoyed as a 21-year-old. Ten games into his third season, he was traded to the New York Rangers in a blockbuster deal involving five players.

New York Rangers

Beck later joked that the trade may have been triggered by him whacking coach Don Cherry's dog Blue with his stick. In New York, Beck was named captain in 1980 but recurring shoulder separations limited his play. During the 1985–86 season, after clashing with coach Ted Sator, Beck walked away from the Rangers citing 'philosophical differences.' He sat out the 1986–87 season to let his shoulder heal, returned for the 1987–88 training camp, but re-injured the shoulder in a preseason game and retired at age 30.

Los Angeles Kings

In August 1989, with his shoulder recovered, Beck sought to return to the NHL and was acquired by the Los Angeles Kings for a fourth-round draft pick. He joined the Wayne Gretzky-led Kings for the 1989–90 season but struggled with foot speed and was used sparingly. Kings General Manager Rogie Vachon said Beck lacked the speed to play in the up-tempo Smythe Division; Beck disagreed with that assessment. On March 7, 1990, Beck announced his retirement for a second time.

Reader's Guide

Beck's NHL career is notable for his explosive rookie season with the Colorado Rockies, where he set a record for goals by a defenceman (22) and was runner-up for the Calder Trophy. That record stood as a benchmark for rookie blueliners. His time with the New York Rangers included being named captain in 1980, but persistent shoulder injuries prevented him from matching his early offensive production. The phrase 'Shoot the puck, Barry,' uttered by broadcaster Bill Chadwick, became a lasting memory for Rangers fans.

Beck's trade from Colorado to New York was one of the larger deals of the era, involving five players. After a three-year hiatus, his brief comeback with the Los Angeles Kings in 1989–90 was hampered by a perceived lack of speed, and he retired for good after that season. In the 2009 book 100 Ranger Greats, Beck was ranked No. 62 all-time among the 901 players who had appeared for the Rangers in their first 82 seasons. After his playing career, Beck became head coach of the Hong Kong national team and, as of 2013, was General Manager (Coach) with the Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey.