Beckett Hinchsliff: A Team-Leading Forward This Season For The El Paso Rhinos

By Ross Forman, 04/29/25, 8:30PM CDT

Hinchsliff Was Among Many Illinois Natives Skating and Coaching In El Paso In The NAHL and NA3HL

Beckett Hinchsliff has crisscrossed the country pursuing his hockey career, with his latest stop in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) as a left wing for the El Paso Rhinos.

He was drafted in the sixth round (203rd overall pick) in the 2024 NAHL Draft, landing in a USA Hockey Tier 2 junior program with players from around the world ages 16 to 21. NAHL players often are then recruited from the league to college and pro hockey.

Hinchsliff finished the season with a team-high 18 goals and 12 assists in 53 games. His 30 points were fourth-most on the team, three behind Kyle Arias (11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points).

Hinchsliff even scored this season when his mom was visiting.

“It took a little time to get used to El Paso because everything is different from downtown Chicago where I grew up,” he said. “From the food to the shear distance you have to drive to go places down, it’s different but it grew on me every day. Something I really respect about El Paso is the community. El Paso holds strong and supports each other in every way. There is always someone close by willing to lend a helping hand and show support for other El Paso peers.”

Hinchsliff, 20, graduated from Chicago’s Whitney Young Magnet High School in 2023. He skated his youth career for the Chicago River Dogs, Chicago Bulldogs, Chicago Jets and Chicago Mission. He played for the Buffalo Junior Sabres (OJHL) last season.

He was an Illinois state champion in 2022 on the Mission U16s.

Hinchsliff is one of many former Illinois youth players now skating for the Rhinos, including Arias (Orland Park), Kacper Gach (Park Ridge), Mario Scalise (Chicago) and Thomas Shore (Crystal Lake).

Kyle Sennott, who played years ago for Neuqua Valley and started his coaching journey for the Wilmette Braves, is now the head coach for the El Paso NA3HL team.

“It’s amazing to have a small group of local guys to hang out with, bringing a sense of home to a place so far away from Chicago,” Hinchsliff said. “We like the same things, talk the same way and follow the same teams. It’s such a quick realization and, boom, a bunch of new best friends.

“My Illinois (hockey career) helped me get to the next level just by the competition within the state. Having so many high-level hockey organizations within an hour of each other creates a better environment to grow in because it is best-on-best starting at 12 years old. The Chicago Mission is a great example with their countless alumni and constant NHL-level talent.”

Hinchsliff noted many area coaches who helped guide his growth, including Gino Cavallini, Rob Klein, Nick DeSalvo, Yanic Perreault, Kyle Kotrba, Mike Bloome, Kent Allen, Russ Naumenko and Jim Hinchslif, among others.

“My style is a power forward, able to make plays in every scenario the game calls for,” he said. “I am a dependable two-way player who is able to contribute on both sides of the puck, a player who can drive both himself and his teammates into a game.”

Slapshots With … Former Chicago Mission Forward Beckett Hinchsliff, Now Skating For The El Paso Rhinos (NAHL)

Giving Thanks: “My dad (Mike) taught me the real world and how to get the dirty work done. My brother (Henry) taught me my competitive nature and the drive as a competitor. Everything was a competition and a game growing up, from milk carton baseball in the kitchen, to shinny sticks in the hallway; it was always 1v1. My mom (Anastasia) taught me how to see situations from every angle and put things into perspective.”

Off The Ice: He enjoys golfing and being outside with friends. “I like trying new foods and drawing when I’m stressed. I call my friends and family all the time and play with my two dogs, Bittie and Cooper.”