Colton Beck hopes that an on-ice “job interview” will lead to big things at this time next year.
“It was a pleasant surprise,” he said last week (July 16), the day after returning to Langley from the New York Islanders prospects camp.
“They had watched me during the season and gave me an invite to get a better look firsthand and get introduced to their organization.
“It was a lot of fun, a good week.”
The camp was held July 8 to 14 at the Islanders’ home rink in Long Island, NY. 
Beck, a 23-year-old, was invited to the Islanders camp alongside the team’s newest draft choices, a list that includes a fellow Langley Minor Hockey Association alum in defenceman Kyle Burroughs.
The 18-year-old Burroughs, who plays in the Western Hockey League with the Regina Pats, was a seventh round pick of New York in last month’s NHL Draft.
IHDs @cbecks36 and @kburroughs7 at the @NYIslanders camp. #nyislanders #impacthockey #ihd pic.twitter.com/5Pk56C9CM5
— Impact hockey (@Impact_hockey_) July 12, 2013
Beck, who enters his senior — and final — season with the University of Alaska Nanooks hockey team has his eyes on playing professionally following graduation.
He said the prospects camp gave him a glimpse into the pro game.
“I learned what it takes to be a pro every day and the compete level you have to bring in an all aspects, not just on the ice but in the weight room, too,” he said.
“How intense you have to be through everything.”
But before he thinks any further about turning pro, Beck has his focus set on his final season with the Nanooks.
Last year, the 5-foot-10 185-pound winger was the team’s third-leading scorer with 11 goals and 21 points in 35 games. He was also an alternate captain.
His offensive numbers may be down from his final two seasons of junior A hockey with the Langley Chiefs — he scored 75 goals and 149 points in 120 games — but Beck is loving life in Alaska.
“I can say it has been the best three years of my life; it has been a lot of fun,” he said.
Beck did admit the first year was an adjustment, mainly with the school work.
“Once I got the hang of (school), it was all good,” he said.
“And the hockey has been really good. I have been given a great opportunity of playing big minutes every year I have been there.”
Beck’s game has developed since his freshman season.
“His game is evolving in all 200 feet of the rink, which is something we have talked with him since the first day he stepped onto campus,” said coach Dallas Ferguson.
“He plays in all situations for us, (has) been a key part to our power play and has earned his way onto our penalty kill.”
Going into the 2013/14 season, Beck is one of just three seniors on the Nanooks roster.
“It will be good, being one of the older guys, a role model to the young guys coming in,” Beck said.
“Coming into my last season, it is exciting to see what can happen in a year’s time and see where I end up after it,” he added.
Beck is working towards his degree, majoring in business administration with a minor in accounting.
But hockey remains the goal.
“I am not going to be giving up hockey anytime soon, if I could play until I was 50, I would love to do that,” he said with a laugh.
His coach also sees a future in the game for Beck.
“He has a love for the game, great skill set and mixed with a commitment to be successful, these attributes are why he will get an opportunity to be a professional hockey player,” Ferguson said.
Beck, who will leave for Fairbanks in the third week of August, is training with the Langley-based Impact Hockey Development.
