Beagle showing fitness, leadership

WHISTLER, B.C. — The NHL season has yet to begin, but Jay Beagle is already making an impression on his Vancouver Canucks teammates.

The 32-year-old centre’s speed, fitness and leadership all turned heads at training camp in Whistler, B.C., this weekend.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a professional athlete like that before in real life,” said Adam Gaudette, who played five games with the Canucks last year and is competing for a spot on this season’s roster.

“It’s pretty cool to come in see. I’m just trying to watch what he does on and off the ice . ... I’m just trying to emulate him as much as possible.”

Beagle came to Vancouver from the Stanley Cup-winning Washington Capitals.

The Calgary native inked a four-year contract worth an average US$3 million per year with the Canucks on July 1, one of three free-agent forwards signed by the team.

Canucks GM Jim Benning said at the time that the club was looking to round out a group of young talent with experience and grit.

So far, Beagle is filling the role, Vancouver coach Travis Green said Sunday.

“He’s a top-conditioned athlete that works really hard, has great habits,” Green said.

“He’s come as advertised so far.”

Coming into a new organization and not knowing anyone has been a new sensation for Beagle, who spent the first 10 years of his NHL career with the Capitals.

Training camp has been full of hard work, high-tempo skating and opportunities to get to know new teammates, he said.

“It’s a close group and everyone’s here for the same goal and focused on just working hard and getting better every day,” he said.

The veteran’s fitness has been a topic of conversation around the rink in Whistler, but Beagle said he didn’t do anything special to get ready for the Canucks camp this off-season.

“It’s just who I am,” he said.