But his passion for the game, and determination to reach the top, fueled his development as a player and eventually earned him a full-time spot on the Capitals in 2011-12.
Over the next four seasons, from 2011-12 to 2014-15, Beagle skated in more games than he had the previous year, carving out a key role as the Capitals' fourth-line center. He won most of his faceoffs - reaching a career-high 58.52 percent in 2017-18 - and notched at least 15 points in each of his last four seasons in Washington. He left as a Stanley Cup champion.
Through it all he became a locker-room favorite, a guy who teammates gravitated towards. The NHL can be a tough business, but while Beagle's time playing for the Capitals had to end last offseason, the relationships didn't. He left a lasting impression on the organization.
Nearly four months after the Capitals presented an injured and sidelined Beagle with his ring before a game in Vancouver - during a heartfelt reunion in the pre-game locker room - Beagle will take the ice for the first time against his former team, in his old arena.
Come 7 p.m. tonight, it'll be hockey as usual, Washington and Vancouver both looking for a win. But throughout the week Capitals players reflected on a teammate known for his work-ethic and unwavering confidence, one who was right beside them during the pinnacle of their careers.
Nicklas Backstrom: First of all, he's a great hockey player, but an even better person and teammate. He's one of those guys you really want on your team - hard-working guy, a really good professional. As a veteran player, the last couple years he was a really good role model to the young guys. It feeds everyone else to see his determination and hard work.
Alex Ovechkin: Great guy, fun guy, hard-working guy, Stanley Cup champion. Great teammate and always somebody that the players respected in the locker room. Nobody likes their protein shakes better than Beags.
Tom Wilson: I don't think there was a day when he took the ice that he wasn't the hardest working guy out there. I don't say that lightly. It's true. No days off. If he had a little injury, he'd almost work even harder. He'll be a great example for the guys over there. He's someone who doesn't text much, or call much, but we find a way to stay in touch. A lot of people forget, I came in as a young guy, and he and [Eric Fehr] were coming in and out. He never treated me badly. He was a huge supporter of mine and showed me the way. Even if he wasn't in the lineup he was helping out. After that, I think we played hundreds of games together as line mates. Can't ask for a better one, as far as predictability and how hard he works every day. He set the pace. It'll be fun to battle against him just like we'd do in the corners in practice once in a while.
Matt Niskanen: Beags was a big part of this organization for a long time. He finished off his time here right, with a group that won the Cup. He sat next to me on the plane [for road games], so me and Beags have a lot of stories. Everyone loves Beags - fans loved him, players loved him. One of the hardest working guys I've ever been around. I think the organization thought a ton of him, unfortunately we just couldn't keep him. It'll be weird to play against him, but it'll be a nice homecoming."
John Carlson:He works the hardest of probably anyone I've played with in my career, at any level. He does those dirty things that aren't glorified in the game right now but are needed. I think everyone appreciated him a lot and the work he put in here. He's a coach's dream. You put him in the lineup, and you know what you're going to get every single night, regardless of circumstance or opponent. That's tough to come by, a truly hard-working guy like that. And certainly we miss him in the locker room as well. He's a leader.
