MONTREAL — The Montreal Canadiens have liked what they’ve seen from young Owen Beck at training camp so far, and the organization rewarded him with a standard three-year rookie contract.

The contract covers the seasons 2022-23 to 2024-25 and has a total value of US$2.465 million.

When playing in the NHL, Beck makes $775,000 22-23, $835,000 2023-24 and $855,000 2024-25. The agreement also includes signing bonuses of $95,000 per season.

If Beck plays in the American League, he gets $82,500.

The 18-year-old forward played for the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL last season and had 51 points (21-30) in 68 games. The centerman finished third in the league with 817 faceoffs won in his rookie season.

He also excelled academically, averaging 93%, winning the Bobby-Smith Trophy, awarded annually to OHL’s student-athlete of the year.

A native of Port Hope, Ontario, he was selected 33rd overall in the 2022 draft.

Beck was sent to the Steelheads after Tuesday night’s 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

For his part, forward Brandon Gignac was sent back to the American Hockey League to the Laval Rocket camp.

dug mesar

Earlier in the day, the Canadian also dropped nine players from his camp, including Slovakia’s Filip Mesar.

The Habs selected Mesar with the 26th pick of the final draft. He’s done well in the rookie tournament and preseason games, but he himself admitted he needs experience and brawn before he can compete with NHL players.

Mesar will report to the missile camp, which started earlier this week. The 18-year-old forward could also potentially be traded to OHL’s Kitchener Rangers.

Defender Mattias Norlinder has also been released and will report to the Rocket camp, as will goalkeeper Kevin Poulin and forward Xavier Simoneau. Forwards Alex Belzile, Anthony Richard and Mitchell Stephens will do the same if not claimed on waivers by 2pm Wednesday.

There are now 35 players left in the Canadian camp, 31 of whom are healthy.