Sheng Peng
Hopefully, the St. Louis Blues’ loss is the San Jose Sharks’ gain.
In March, the Sharks signed Noah Beck out of the Arizona State. The 6-foot-3 left-handed defenseman led Sun Devils blueliners with five goals and 28 assists and 33 points in just 37 games.
Beck, 24, was a St. Louis 2020 seventh-round pick, that the Blues chose not to keep last summer, after a challenging fourth season at Clarkson University.
“I was battling an injury from the start of the season in my hand that we didn’t really know what it was,” he revealed.
Beck joined the San Jose Barracuda at the end of the season, making his pro debut on Mar. 29 against the Abbotsford Canucks. He also practiced with them throughout their playoff run.
Next season will be a prove-it year for Beck: He’s on a one-year contract that starts in 2025-26.
San Jose Hockey Now caught up with Beck last month, about his decision to sign with the San Jose Sharks, his connection with Mario Ferraro, his tough last season with Clarkson and the decision to transfer to ASU, what he’s learned about pro hockey so far, and the Blues choosing not to sign him.
Noah Beck, on decision to sign with the San Jose Sharks:
I didn’t really know what was going to happen towards the end of the season. Obviously, I wasn’t too focused on where I’d end up afterwards as my season was coming to an end, but I talked to the Sharks, went through it with my agent, and just felt it was a great fit for me. The way the organization’s been trending and the way they’re rebuilding, I think it’d be a nice fit—along with how the AHL and NHL staff have been doing, I just thought it’d be a really good fit for me.
Beck, on number of teams trying to sign him:
I’d say it was three or four, but I wanted to get into it right away. I was excited to make my jump to the next step, and I thought this was an awesome fit. I knew a few guys, I know [Mario] Ferraro from back home—he’s one of my older brother’s good friends. Just having that connection, seeing his work ethic and what he’s done here, I just thought it’d be a perfect fit after everything he said.
Beck, on talking with Ferraro about San Jose:
The day I signed, I had a class from 6 to 9 and then we hopped on FaceTime just after that and chatted about everything. He congratulated me and we just talked about a bunch of things. He had nothing but good things to say. Also the proximity of the AHL and NHL teams being so close. He couldn’t say enough good things about the organization, so I was super excited.
He just said how much the fans love the Sharks and being in the same building while they’re practicing or playing, being in close proximity—obviously we won’t run into them too much, but being around the guys that full organizational feel, not being separated at the AHL level too much.
Beck, on checking in with Ferraro before he signed:
I had shot him a few texts, but I didn’t really want to text many people in other organizations just in case I don’t end up there or depending on what happens. He was excited, and I was obviously excited.
Beck, on who else he knows in San Jose Sharks organization:
I knew [Brandon] Coe as well and [Ethan] Cardwell just from being from Toronto. Having that familiarity, I think it just makes it easier to—not that it would heavily sway a decision, it just makes it more comfortable coming into the locker room and sort of seeing some familiar faces rather than coming in completely fresh and not knowing anyone.
Just knowing them, I’ve played spring tournaments, I’ve known Coesy through mutual friends for a long, long time. It’s been great coming in here.
Beck, on decision to move on from Clarkson to Arizona State:
I loved my four years at Clarkson. Obviously, I didn’t have the best fourth year there, but I think the ECAC was great for me for learning. It’s a little bit grittier and heavier, so just learning the checking and defensive side of my game and developing that.
I wanted a bit of a change, just because I felt like I was getting a bit stagnant and staying in the same spot. I was only really seen as a power play defenseman there, and I wanted to add an extra element to my game. Arizona State gave me that opportunity, and they put me in all situations—places where I wasn’t comfortable and really helped me through that process. The coaching staff was amazing, from the head coach, Greg Powers all the way down. Every assistant, Dana Borges, Alex Hicks, and Mike Corbett.
Putting me in those spots really helped me, because I know at the next level, it’s going to be tough to crack a power play. There’s only so many spots, you need to find different ways into the lineup. I’m going to continue to work on my defensive side of my game here, but I don’t have enough good things to say about Arizona State and what they’re doing with that program now. It’s really special, and I wish I could add more years there, but I also loved Clarkson, and I wouldn’t change that.
Beck, on most frustrating thing about his last year with Clarkson:
I was battling an injury from the start of the season in my hand that we didn’t really know what it was. It was just kind of a nagging pain. Then eventually, halfway through my season, I guess I had a mini fracture in there, and it completely broke off, and had to get a minor surgery, which held me out for a month and a half. Then coming back, just trying to rush it, because it was my fourth year, I did want to sign [with the St. Louis Blues].
I just wasn’t really in the right mindset, and then again, like not playing all positions and just having a bit of a down year. It was definitely frustrating, but I think it also helped me with Arizona State with just battling that adversity. When things aren’t going your way, it’s easy to get down on yourself and get a little frustrated, but staying that even-keel is what’s going to help you get back, because at the end of the day, every game is its own battle, and if you have a bad one night, you can have the best one of your life the next night. It’s not like they should be carrying over, and just staying level-headed will help it not carry over.
Beck, on adversity he faced when the Blues didn’t sign him:
It wasn’t necessarily the easiest thing, but I understood. I thought I was actually gonna sign after my junior year, and they wanted one more year of college. Honestly, I think that was the best thing that could have happened, because looking back at it now, there was no way I was ready after my junior year, even if I did have a good season. Going back for my senior year, I had a down year, but I put a lot of weight on and got a lot stronger, and then struggled that year, and unfortunately, things didn’t go my way there.
Then having the opportunity for my fifth year because of COVID, and having a great season [at ASU]—our trainer there, [Liane Blyn], she worked me so hard, so many workouts in the summer, she just did everything to help me, whether it was modifying things or doing a little bit extra for strength and just getting my body ready and going to Arizona State. Then having the opportunity to pick a different organization and landing here, I couldn’t be happier to be here.
Beck, on training with Blyn last summer:
I went halfway into the summer, which I thought was really nice. It’s similar to here, I got to know everyone early. Especially going into a new team, and only for one year, I just figured I should get in there early and meet everyone, get acclimated and figure everything out. As well, I had only heard good things about Liane, and they were definitely true. She did unbelievable things for me, and I’m gonna be training with her again for a good amount of the summer. She’s been amazing, and I couldn’t thank her enough.
Beck, on what he thinks that the San Jose Sharks see in him:
I think I have a lot of upside. I’m trying to put weight on, but I’m still a slighter build. Even though I’m 24, a little bit older, I think there’s still a lot of untapped potential for myself, whether that’s my defensive game and just getting stronger. I think I’m a good puck-mover and can bring a little bit of offense at this level as well as be a good defensive core guy.
Beck, on what he’s learned from Sharks development coach Luca Sbisa:
He hasn’t been saying much about my type of game, but we’ve been on the ice together, and he’s been amazing. Even though I’ve only really gotten to work with him for a few days here and there, he’s just so smart. I mean, he had a fantastic career. The things he’s been teaching me in that short amount of time, it’s been fantastic. Even though it was only a few days, I take what he’s been teaching and put it into every day. It’s been great.
Beck, on a defenseman that he admires:
Not a Shark, but I’ve always, I’ve always loved Shea Theodore’s game. His style is just a solid, two-way, puck-moving defender. Similar build, and I’ve just loved his game from the beginning. If I was watching one guy, I loved his game.
Beck, on how he celebrated signing a contract with the San Jose Sharks:
I met up with my teammates. It was a little weird, because I didn’t really know when I was leaving. I got to see all of them, they were all really excited. Then when it got announced, and I was finalizing everything, it was actually on my birthday. I had a little dinner with my girlfriend and then some of my teammates, and it was super nice. I got to experience it with them for a few days, I ended up leaving later than I thought I was going to, so it was nice to still have a few days around them while we knew I was heading out. There were a few others that were also leaving pretty soon, so we got to experience those last few days together and then go our separate ways, which was nice.
Beck, on what he learned from his one game with the San Jose Barracuda and his time with the Sharks organization:
I think everyone says it, but the speed and strength. It’s obviously a bit of a jump, but just learning the style of play is very different. It’s a lot more quick touches, the forechecks are harder, they’re more relentless. It’s just learning the ins and outs—you see guys out there, they’re just super confident in their plays, and they’re quick touches. They know where each other are going to be, and I think that comes with knowing the systems really well, and I think our coaches have done a great job of that, even this late in the year. They’re always reviewing them and making sure the guys are on top of it, and I think that’s why the guys are having success here—as well as the talent, obviously, that we have.
I think it’s been really nice watching, I’m getting a better sense of the systems. That one game, it was early, but it was just nice to get a sort of a feel for the speed and right and what’s to expect for next year.
Beck, on something about him outside of hockey:
I’ll just go with my favorite TV show. I’ll say, “White Collar,” I’ve watched it a lot. It’s a good one, easy watch, too—just throw it on in the background.
Special thanks to Maddie Dutra for her help transcribing this interview