Johan Beekes: From European Roots to Hockey Passion in Butte, Montana
Johan Beekes feels at home at the rink and within the hockey world. After all, it was hockey that brought Beekes from Europe to the United States to play Junior Hockey as a goaltender with the Cobras (now Irish) in the North American Three Hockey League (NA3HL.)
Beekes’s European Hockey Roots
Beekes grew up in Tilburg, Netherlands, in the province of North-Brabant in the southern part of the country. In his hometown, soccer is huge, but hockey is also popular, with their home team, the Tilburg Trappers, drawing full-house crowds. The Trappers play in the German Oberliga Nord, the third tier of the German pro league.
The former Tilburg resident was first exposed to hockey when his grandfather took him to a local hockey tournament called the "het Chris Verwijst toernooi." Beekes recalls being drawn to the goalie position. Beekes would end up playing in the developmental levels of the Trappers.
Beekes with the Trappers (Photo: Jansen)
In addition to cheering on his local hockey club in Tilburg, Beekes became a fan of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Detroit Redwings. However, he explained that being an NHL fan in Holland wasn't always easy. Beekes is a student of the game and has always been interested in the differences and similarities of each of their styles.
Beekes Comes to America to Play Junior Hockey in Butte
Beekes got an opportunity to experience the North American game in person when he came over to play goalie for the Butte Cobras, a Junior A team in the North American 3 League (NA3HL), after being contacted by former Cobra assistant coach Josh Smith.
When he arrived in Butte, Beekes recalled he didn't speak any English, but he was able to teach himself the language. Being in Butte, Montana was very different from being back home in the Netherlands for Beekes.
Beekes with the Butte Cobras (Submitted Photo)
After adjusting to life in Butte, Beekes had to adjust to playing Junior Hockey. He said he struggled initially to adapt to the smaller size of the rink and the team's performance was up and down. Despite the struggles, Beekes looks back at his experience fondly, calling playing for Butte and the Cobras an honor of a lifetime.
After Playing, Beekes Has Found a Love of Coaching the Game
After wrapping up his junior hockey career, Beekes discovered his love of coaching. This past season, he entered his second year as the head coach of the Copper City Kings High School Hockey Club.
Beekes Coaching High School Hockey in Butte
Beekes hopes he can turn his passion of coaching into a career as he strives to make it as a professional coach. He works hard to take advantage of every coaching development opportunity that he comes across and is always studying other coaches.
