Despite all of the disappointment and frustration this season, it’d be hard to argue that any player has been more impactful for this team than Kyle Beach. Not only is he doing well for this team, he’s setting personal goals as well- last night he hit a career-high 32 goals for the season.
Every last one of us hated this guy before he came to Spokane, and with good reason. Beach is one of the rarest of the rare in hockey: the top line forward who doubles as enforcer. He creates his own space on the ice and has the size and mentality to not only stand up for himself but for every other guy on the team. When he’s playing for your town, you have to love watching such a unique player who can fill so many roles. Conversely, when he’s on the visiting squad you forget the goals and only remember the intimidation and enforcer attitude.
Bitch as we may about Chief’s ownership and management, this was the single best move they made this season. I don’t see how this team breaks 75 points without him, and he arguably provides far more grit and maturity than the entire top lines of many of the teams in the WHL.
Some team in the AHL is going to get very lucky next year.
The betting pool for how many goals he’ll finish with starts now. See your local state lottery official for more information, terms and conditions.
Some of us in Chicago are all aflutter for when he gets up to NHL speed. He is going to be a monster in the Indian head.
By: Russ on January 31, 2010
at 6:20 am
I know I can’t wait til he leaves for the AHL.
By: SinBinRegular on January 31, 2010
at 10:44 am
Beach is a very talented player and wil go far. I only wish that in some ways he was more impactful in a good way. He’s soo talented but yet he seems quite lazy.
While I find it quite….”cute” that he sticks up for wahly i don’t find beach to be an enforcer at all and if he thinks he’s falling into that role he really shouldn’t. Beach’s role is to score and ending up in the PB for fighting isn’t helping that matter. Im glad, as of late he’s picked up the scoring and i hope it continues.
By: my other car is a zamboni on January 31, 2010
at 8:57 pm
I like this news! Doesn’t look like I’d get to see Beach play anytime soon unless I somehow get in a Pacific Northwest trip this winter and see the Chiefs play in Portland or something. Thanks for the updates…
By: KofC on February 1, 2010
at 3:18 pm