Jay Beagle

History

2004-05: Beagle scored 28 goals with 42 assists and 114 PIM in 64 games for the Calgary Royals in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

2005-06: Beagle began his college career at the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Beagle appeared in 31 games as a freshman and scored 4 goals with 6 assists and received 40 PIM on a team that won just six games and finished last in the WCHA.

2006-07: Beagle scored 10 goals with 10 assists and had 93 PIM in his second year of college hockey with the Seawolves. Following the college season he signed a free agent contract with the ECHL Idaho Steelheads. He scored 2 goals with 8 assists and had 4 PIM in 10 regular season games for Idaho. Beagle added 1 goal with 2 assists and provided muscle for the Steelheads in their 18-game playoff march to the Kelly Cup championship.

2007-08: Beagle’s play with Idaho earned him an invitation to the Capitals’ development camp and he played well enough to earn a contract with the Caps’ AHL affiliate Hershey. Beagle scored 19 goals with 18 assists and was -1 with 41 PIM in 64 games for Hershey. In the playoffs, he had 1 assist and was -4 with 2 PIM in five games. Beagle signed an entry-level contract with Washington in March.

2008-09: Beagle made his NHL debut in February and appeared in four playoff games with the Capitals after spending most of the season in Hershey. Beagle was recalled by Washington in February and appeared in his first NHL game on February 11 against the Rangers. He was scoreless in three regular season games and -3 with 2 PIM before being sent down. Beagle was brought up by Washington for their second round series with Pittsburgh. He appeared in four of the seven games seeing less than five minutes of ice time. Beagle’s playoff appearance with the Capitals was an encouraging finish to a season that started a bit rocky. He suffered a concussion in training camp that kept him out of the lineup at the start of the year. In 47 games with Hershey, he scored 4 goals with 5 assists and was -7 with 37 PIM. Beagle was a solid presence, if not a big scorer, for the Bears in their run to the Calder Cup. He scored 1 goal with 3 assists and was +2 with 16 PIM in 18 Calder Cup playoff games.

2009-10: Beagle scored the first NHL goal of his career during a November call-up with the Capitals and played solid two-way hockey with some offensive output in his third season with Hershey. Beagle had an assist in his first game back with the Capitals on November 17 against the Rangers and then scored a goal against Ottawa four games later in Washington’s 4-3 overtime win over Ottawa on November 23. He was returned to Hershey following a November 28 game with Montreal and appeared in just one other late season game with the Caps. In seven games, he scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was -1 with 2 PIM. With Hershey, Beagle came close to matching his scoring numbers from the 2008-07 season while reducing his penalty minutes. In 66 games, he scored 16 goals with 19 assists and was +10 with 25 PIM. He also proved dangerous on the penalty kill, scoring a pair of short-handed goals. Beagle scored 2 goals with 6 assists and was +6 in 21 playoff games as Hershey won their second straight Calder Cup. Beagle signed a two-year contract with the Capitals in July.

Talent Analysis

Beagle is a big, physical, energy player who does all the little things right. He is a hard-working center whose legs never stop moving, an attribute that has earned him some spot duty with the Capitals. Beagle's finishing abilities and overall scoring touch are inconsistent thus far. Under-sized during his junior days, when he was a big scorer in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Beagle has grown several inches since and has adapted his game well to take advantage of that size.

Future

Beagle will compete for a lower line role with the Capitals in training camp. He will likely split the season between Hershey and Washington once again this season. Beagle's ability to play a wide variety of roles and a willingness to compete all over the ice make him a favorite with coaches, teammates, and fans. His scoring ability and technical skills are not yet developed enough to play a top-six role, and may never be, but with his determination and hustle he is well-suited for an energy depth forward spot.