Penguins Top Prospect Sparks College Hockey Controversy After Possibly Breaking Rule
Photo credit: Wheeling Nailers
Prospect Jack Beck, who signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate, is instead going to be playing 2025-26 for Arizona State University.
Penguins prospect forward Jack Beck, who was originally taken 168th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, signed a contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL for 2025-26 after playing last year in the ECHL for the Wheeling Nailers, but he's not going to be playing there.
Instead, he's going to be playing for Arizona State, as he was their final scholarship addition.
At 23, it raises questions as to the legality of allowing him to play as a first-year college player, especially after having already played professional hockey.
With Wheeling last year, Beck had 36 points (8G, 28A).
A family connection drew Jack Beck to the Sun Devils
Arizona State is where Beck's brother, Noah Beck played. And per coach Scott Powers, that was a major factor for Jack.
This was an incredibly unique cicurmstance. If any random person came to us, the answer would've been no. But we're close with the family, and (Noah) had a great year last year and a great experience. Education is important to the family. The kid missed the CHL rule change by a year. He saw (now) that he could go to college, and that's what he wants to do.
Powers also said that Beck will not be benefitting from any NIL (name, image, likeness) deal.
There's no NIL, no revenue share money involved here. It's not like we stole some pro player and outbid anyone. He's on a scholarship, that's it. Any other situation, any other name, any other persnon, we'd say no.
Bemidji State was the first to get NCAA precedent to change by getting players with past pro experience to become eligible to play for them. Now, Arizona State has done the same.
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