To keep improving, Becher focused on making two-way game even more effective

Red Wings forward prospect coming off strong season in WHL

070224-AMF-2094
By Jonathan Mills
@DetroitRedWings DetroitRedWings.com

DETROIT -- Ondrej Becher was thrilled to hear his name called when the Detroit Red Wings selected the forward prospect in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, his third draft-eligible season.

Joining the Red Wings organization is an honor to Becher, who said he believes his strong 2023-24 campaign helped his dream of getting drafted become a reality.

“I was expecting that because I think I had a really good year this year in the WHL and at World Juniors too,” Becher said during Detroit’s 2024 Development Camp in July.

Johansson | Forslund | Becher | Media

Becher notched 96 points (32 goals, 64 assists) in 58 regular-season games with the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars last season, including 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 15 playoff games to help the Cougars reach the Western Conference Final.

The 20-year-old forward also earned a bronze medal with Czechia at the 2024 International Ice Hockey World Junior Championship, where he had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in seven games.

“I got to see Bechs play the past few World Juniors,” Red Wings Assistant Director of Player Development Dan Cleary said. “He’s a little bit older, late bloomer I guess, but fun guy. Obviously he’s got skills.”

The differences in his game between last season and now are obvious, according to Becher.

“I started playing more defensively, so I became a two-way player,” Becher said. “I wasn’t a two-way player before. I tried to improve in the defensive zone, and I think I did.”

Becher said his favorite NHL player growing up was David Krejci, a Czech-born forward who retired from the league in August 2023 after 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins.

“(Krejci) was an amazing two-way player,” Becher said. “That’s what I think I’m playing now.”

Becher expects big things from himself this season and said that his first NHL Development Camp was an illuminating experience.

“I have to work hard every day,” Becher said. “Probably even more than before.”

News Feed

RECAP: Red Wings score first, but drop 5-1 decision at Canadiens

PREVIEW: Embracing quick turnaround, Detroit looks to bounce back in Montreal on Saturday

RECAP: Red Wings can't hold third-period lead in 4-3 loss to Canadiens 

Red Wings recall William Lagesson from Grand Rapids

PREVIEW: Red Wings and Canadiens kick off home-and-home back-to-back set in Detroit on Friday

Red Wings assign Ville Husso to Grand Rapids

RECAP: Kane nets go-ahead goal as Red Wings down Flyers, 6-4, for second straight win on home ice

PREVIEW: Red Wings set for showdown with Flyers on Wednesday

‘It’s great to do this’: Red Wings, Tigers and Meijer use annual Hometown Holiday Assist to give back to local youth

Red Wings look to carry momentum from weekend into next two practice days

Red Wings assign Jack Campbell to Grand Rapids

RECAP: Petry scores twice to help Red Wings earn 'huge win' over Maple Leafs, 4-2

PREVIEW: Motivated to defend home ice, Detroit faces Toronto on Saturday

Red Wings recall Jack Campbell from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions

RECAP: Talbot makes 32 saves for Detroit in 4-1 loss to Philadelphia

PREVIEW: Going for second straight road win, Red Wings face Flyers on Thursday

As Red Wings prepare for Flyers, Talbot and Lyon return to practice on Wednesday

Red Wings assign Sebastian Cossa to Grand Rapids

RECAP: Cossa's NHL debut part of Red Wings' 'massive' 6-5 shootout win over Sabres

PREVIEW: Red Wings head to Buffalo for Atlantic Division clash on Monday

RECAP: Red Wings take 2-1 loss to Avalanche

PREVIEW: Red Wings face off against visiting Avalanche on Saturday

Larkin and Raymond honored to participate at 2025 4 Nations Face-Off

RECAP: Detroit comes up short in Ottawa, 2-1

PREVIEW: Red Wings cap two-game road trip with matchup against Senators on Thursday

Red Wings assign William Lagesson to Grand Rapids

RECAP: Raymond scores twice, extends point streak in Red Wings’ 3-2 overtime loss to Bruins

PREVIEW: Red Wings kick off two-game road trip in Boston on Tuesday 

Red Wings recall William Lagesson from Grand Rapids

For Cossa, earning first NHL recall to Red Wings ‘a dream come true’

Red wings recall Sebastian Cossa from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions

RECAP: Red Wings get a point, but lose Talbot to injury in 5-4 overtime loss to Canucks

PREVIEW: Red Wings and visiting Canucks square off on Sunday afternoon

Red Wings lose back-and-forth battle to Devils, 5-4

PREVIEW: Raymond carries goal streak into Friday’s afternoon game between Red Wings and Devils

RECAP: Raymond scores in overtime to send Red Wings past Flames, 2-1, on Thanksgiving Eve

PREVIEW: Red Wings host Flames for annual Thanksgiving Eve game on Wednesday

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announces Black Friday sales for Red Wings and Tigers tickets

Red Wings recall Ville Husso from Grand Rapids under emergency conditions

‘Giving back to the community is awesome’: Kasper surprises, reads to first graders at Madison Elementary

RECAP: Red Wings 'could have folded the tents' but 'fought until the bitter end' to pull off 4-2 comeback win over Islanders

PREVIEW: On the road, Red Wings out to sweep season series with Islanders on Monday  

Red Wings activate Tim Gettinger from injured non-roster;assign him to Grand Rapids

RECAP: Red Wings drop tight battle to Bruins, 2-1

PREVIEW: Red Wings welcome Bruins to Little Caesars Arena for first time this season on Saturday

RECAP: Red Wings ‘hung in there, battled’ to rally past Islanders, 2-1

PREVIEW: Red Wings host Islanders for Pavel Datsyuk Hockey Hall of Fame Night on Thursday

Red Wings want to take advantage of home-heavy stretch of schedule

RECAP: Red Wings finish four-game road trip with 5-4 OT loss to Sharks

Red Wings assign defenseman William Lagesson to Grand Rapids