Beecher is expecting to return to campus sometime in the next couple of weeks, at which point he'll be re-examined by his doctor to determine whether he'll be allowed to take full contact as he gears up for Year 3 with the Wolverines. The B's 2019 first-round pick (30th overall) donned a maroon non-contact sweater during Monday's skate.
"At the end of the day, just knocking some of the rust off still," Beecher said of what he's looking to accomplish this week. "I've still only had five or six actual skates since my surgery. I'm coming along. But it's just another step in the process to get back for the season. I always enjoy my time when I get to the city and I'm just trying to soak it all in.
"Just getting more comfortable around here, seeing more faces, meeting new people. Just kind of getting used to the staff, getting used to some of the guys."
Bruins Director of Player Development Jamie Langenbrunner was pleased to see that when Beecher hit the ice on Monday, his skating remained as smooth and effortless as ever even with a lack of on-ice activity in recent months.
"Skating well like usual," said Langenbrunner. "Had definitely a bit of a broken-up season…a tough one - I'm sure he said that as well. I think his team next year is going to have a bit of a target on its back and it will be a great opportunity for him to play under that scrutiny, under that pressure, for a team that should contend for a national title. He'll be a big part of that.
"His skating is obviously high-end. We were actually laughing about it out there today, [skating and skills coach Kim Brandvold] and I. It almost looks like he's not skating at times, but when you're standing there, he's actually going really, really fast because it's so effortless."
Langenbrunner added that Beecher's career path will ultimately be determined by how quickly the pivot can improve the smaller details of his game.
"Time will tell with him still," said Langenbrunner."Whether he's gonna end up as a second-line guy or a third-line guy or a fourth-line guy will depend on how quickly he gets those details in and if his consistency's there night-in and night-out and how it's gonna make a coach happy and give him opportunity.
"His skating and his size are always gonna be there. He's learning how to do those pro habits and we're gonna continue to work with him. It's gonna take a little bit of time. Good on Johnny and how he's bought in to that."
Despite a tumultuous sophomore season, Beecher believes his growth, particularly when it comes to the mental side of the game, has developed immensely over his first two years with the Wolverines.
"The biggest thing still is the off-ice part of the game, building my hockey IQ, knowing when to put pucks where and being better away from the puck, better finishing - just little things like that, that will make a big difference down the road," said Beecher.
"I feel like I'm gaining more and more confidence every year. Obviously with the surgery it limited me a little bit this past season in what I could do and what I was comfortable with on the ice. But this upcoming season, I'm sure when we get back in the swing of things and I get comfortable out there again it will be a lot of fun."
The Elmira, New York, native has also put a focus on understanding how to deal with the ups and downs that will undoubtedly continue to come his way throughout his career.
"I think it's just a part of growing up and being a young kid and trying to become young man," said Beecher. "I think I've made huge strides with that the last couple years. I'm excited to see where it goes."
