Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Alumni Dog Beuker - CIS leading scorer signs with German pro team

University of Saskatchewan Huskies forward Dean Beuker has announced his signing with the Essen Moskitos of the Bundesliga, the second division in Germany. Former Huskies to go on to play in the Bundas league include Jason Becker and Jeremy Stasiuk. (Note: Becker went to the Elite Ice Hockey League in the UK for two years before coming back to Germany to join the Heilbronn Falcons in 2005-06. Stasiuk has played the last two years with the Rosenheim Star Bulls.)

After a four-year career with the Huskies, Beuker is looking forward to heading across the waters. "I wanted to pursue hockey [after school]... it'll be a different hockey adventure," said Beuker, who departs for Germany Sunday morning. "It's a great opportunity for travel and to see Europe. Troy [Walkington, Huskies assistant coach] helped a lot with making sure it was a good place and a stable team. It's going to be different... it'll just be hockey for a living, and not school and playing hockey. And not to have all my friends and family around... that will be the hardest part. There will be an adjustment period."

Beuker had a hugely successful career with the Huskies, completing 2005-06 tied for the CIS lead with a career-high 47 points in 27 conference games, while picking up only seven penalties and spending a grand total of 30 minutes in the box. For that, he was presented the R.W. Pugh Award for Most Sportsmanlike Player in the CIS. The 25-year-old was also named to the first all-Canadian team, marking his fourth selection in as many years as a CIS national all-star. Beuker was the CIS rookie of the year in 2002-03, and was crowned CIS scoring champion a year ago with 46 points.

For more information on the Essen Moskitos visit: http://www.moskitos-essen.de

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