Mention the name Chris Beckford-Tseu around the fans that closely followed the Amerks last season and they’ll quickly ask, “he’s not coming back is he?”

Chris Beckford-Tseu was signed by the Florida Panthers during the summer of 2008 to be the #1 goaltender for the Rochester Americans.  Jack Birch had talked about Beckford-Tseu being the #1 depth goalie available at the AHL level and that he was pursued by seven other teams.  Things did not turn out that way.  Beckford-Tseu struggled early and struggled often.

The Panthers signed him to a two year contract hoping he would be a “diamond in the rough.”

He played in 22 games for the Amerks and finished with a 3-14-1 record, 3.94 GAA, and .868 save percentage.  He was sent to the ECHL and played with the Florida Everblades and Phoenix Roadrunners.

“Last year things did not start well, nothing really went right for us, it was one you have to forget about, put behind you, move on and use as a learning experience,” is what Chris had to say about last season.

During a live chat with the D&C Amerks head coach Benoit Groulx talked about Beckford-Tseu saying the following quotes, “I didn’t know him at all last year.  He was not prepared fitness-wise.  He was told to put on weight and it didn’t work.  He has lost weight and is quicker and his confidence is better.  Last year, not once, I thought he was a No. 1 goalie.”

Groulx went on to say, “But last year was last year.  He starts with a clean slate.  Chris has been good here.  It’s about how he plays.  It’s in his hands.”

“Is Beckford-Tseu reborn?  He was good today and yesterday,” Groulx said.

During the scrimmage on the second day of training camp Friday morning Beckford-Tseu looked good in net.  He stopped every puck shot at him during the first half.

Beckford-Tseu has a positive attitude and is ready for this season and just like everyone else has moved on saying, “Its a lot different team, a new season and I’m just looking forward to a fresh start.”

I’m sure a lot of fans will read this and want nothing to do with him on this team.  He’s not going anywhere, at least for a few weeks.  During this time he has just as good of a chance at making this team as anyone else.