Barry Beck

Barry Beck
Barry Beck
Born	June 3, 1957 (age 69); Canada
Occupation(s)	Professional ice hockey player, coach
Years active	1977–1990 (player), post-1990 (coach)
Known for	NHL player for Colorado Rockies, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings; head coach of Hong Kong national team

Barry David Beck (born June 3, 1957) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently serves as the head coach for the Hong Kong national team. Selected second overall in both the 1977 NHL amateur draft and the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft from the New Westminster Bruins, Beck played a pivotal role in leading the Bruins to victory in the 1977 Memorial Cup, where he was honored with the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the tournament's most valuable player. Opting to pursue a career in the NHL rather than the WHA, he began his professional journey with the Colorado Rockies. His NHL tenure also included stints with the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings, before retiring in 1990.

Junior career

After appearing in a single game for the Kamloops Chiefs during the 1973-74 season, Beck was traded in June 1974 to the New Westminster Bruins of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Over three seasons with the Bruins, he distinguished himself by scoring 19 goals and accumulating 99 points in 1975-76, while leading his team with 325 penalty minutes. Although his point total decreased to 62 the following year, Beck was instrumental in securing the 1977 Memorial Cup for New Westminster and earned MVP recognition. Following this achievement, he was drafted second overall in the 1977 NHL amateur draft by the Colorado Rockies.

Colorado Rockies

Beck quickly established himself as a key player for Colorado, setting an NHL rookie record for defencemen with 22 goals and helping guide the Rockies to their inaugural playoff appearance. He finished second to Mike Bossy in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's top rookie. Beck appreciated his tenure in Colorado, citing minimal media scrutiny and a relaxed atmosphere.

During his sophomore season, his offensive output declined and Colorado failed to qualify for the playoffs. After seeking to renegotiate his contract following his impressive rookie campaign, Beck was unexpectedly traded early in his third season. On November 2, 1979, he was involved in a five-player exchange that sent him to the New York Rangers, alongside players including Pat Hickey, Lucien DeBlois, Mike McEwen, and Dean Turner.

New York Rangers

Having received limited acclaim during his time with Colorado, Beck embraced joining one of hockey’s most historic franchises. He described New York as embodying hockey’s spirit, emphasizing the honor of competing at Madison Square Garden. Beck scored a goal in his debut game for the Rangers and delivered an impressive first season tallying 59 points over 61 games. In 1980, he was appointed team captain and appeared in 75 games that season—the highest number during his Rangers career.

His progress was soon hampered by injuries; a separated shoulder during the 1981–82 season followed by surgery in 1984 curtailed his playing time. By 1985–86, Beck participated in only 25 games and never regained his previous offensive form, leading broadcaster Bill Chadwick to famously urge him: "Shoot the puck, Barry," a phrase still fondly recalled by Rangers supporters.

Disheartened by ongoing injuries and philosophical disagreements with coach Ted Sator—who also faced conflicts with multiple players—Beck departed after the 1985–86 season. Although he did not formally retire at that point, he opted not to play during the subsequent season despite Sator’s removal and an offer from GM Phil Esposito to return.

Following an extended break of approximately eighteen months dedicated to recovery, Beck re-signed with New York for the 1987–88 campaign but suffered another shoulder injury during preseason. Acknowledging that this setback diminished his physical capability—the foundation of his style—he chose to retire at age 30, closing out a career that had shown great potential but was ultimately curtailed by persistent health issues.

Los Angeles Kings

After a three-year hiatus and having recovered from a shoulder injury, 32-year-old Beck aimed to re-enter the NHL in August 1989, with a preference to play nearer to his Vancouver residence. On September 1, 1989, the Los Angeles Kings obtained his rights from the Rangers in return for a fourth-round draft selection. Beck joined the Kings, led by Wayne Gretzky, for the 1989–90 campaign; however, he faced challenges and saw limited ice time. Kings General Manager Rogie Vachon, who secured Beck on a one-year contract, pointed to insufficient skating speed as a drawback in the swift Smythe Division. Although Beck contested this viewpoint, he ultimately chose to retire on March 7 as the season was concluding.

Subsequently, Beck moved into coaching and administrative roles in Hong Kong, taking on the position of head coach for the Hong Kong men's national ice hockey squad and serving as General Manager (Coach) of the Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey as of 2013.

Legacy

Within the 2009 publication 100 Ranger Greats, Beck earned the ranking of No. 62 among 901 players who had represented the New York Rangers during the franchise's initial 82 years.

Regular season and playoffs

			Regular season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1973–74	Langley Lords	BCHL	63	8	28	36	329	—	—	—	—	—
1973–74	Kamloops Chiefs	WCHL	1	0	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	Kamloops Chiefs	WCHL	1	0	0	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
1974–75	New Westminster Bruins	WCHL	58	9	33	42	162	18	4	9	13	52
1974–75	New Westminster Bruins	M-Cup	—	—	—	—	—	3	0	3	3	11
1975–76	New Westminster Bruins	WCHL	68	19	80	99	325	17	3	9	12	58
1975–76	New Westminster Bruins	M-Cup	—	—	—	—	—	4	1	3	4	13
1976–77	New Westminster Bruins	WCHL	61	16	46	62	167	12	4	6	10	39
1976–77	New Westminster Bruins	M-Cup	—	—	—	—	—	5	3	5	8	13
1977–78	Colorado Rockies	NHL	75	22	38	60	89	2	0	1	1	0
1978–79 NHL season	Colorado Rockies	NHL	63	14	28	42	91
1979–80 NHL season	Colorado Rockies	NHL	10	1	5	6	8
1979–80	New York Rangers	NHL	61	14	45	59	98
1980–81 NHL season	New York Rangers	NHL	75	11	23	34	231
1981–82 NHL season	New York Rangers	NHL	60	9	29	38	111
1982–83 NHL season	New York Rangers	NHL	66	12	22	34	112
1983–84 NHL season	New York Rangers	NHL	72	9	27	36	132
1984–85 NHL season	New York Rangers	NHL	56	7	19	26	65
1985–86 NHL season	New York Rangers	NHL	25	4	8	12	24
1989–90 NHL season	Los Angeles Kings	NHL	52	1	7	8	53
NHL totals			615	104	251	355	1014	51	10	23	33	77

International

Year	Team	Tournament		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1981	Canada	CC		7	0	0	0	2
Senior career totals				7	0	0	0	2

Awards

Selected to WCHL First All-Star Team – 1976 and 1977