FEATURE STORY: BEUKER BOOKS PLACE IN CANADA WEST RECORD BOOK
Dean Beuker has written himself into the Canada-West Men's Hockey history books in his final season of University hockey.
The 25-year-old Arts and Science Senior with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies laid claim to his third Canada-West scoring title on the weekend, finishing the regular season with 22 goals and 47 points in 27 games, helping the Huskies to the Great Plains Division title.
Beuker, a product of Watson, SK, becomes just the fourth player in Canada-West history to win the Dave "Sweeney" Schriner Trophy as the Conference's top scorer three times in a career - and first member of the Huskies to accomplish the feat.
"It's something nice to have done," said Beuker, a former member of the Portland Winter Hawks and Regina Pats. "You don't really think about it too much when you're out there...but when you're old and grey, it's something to look back on.
Beuker, who has scored 74 goals and 107 assists in 111 career Canada-West regular-season contests, also won the Dave "Sweeney" Schriner Trophy in 2002-03 and 2004-05.
While he's happy with his prolific offensive production this season, Beuker says it's more satisfying that he's helped the Huskies to a solid season. After coming up short in the 2005 University Cup Final - a heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to the Alberta Golden Bears - Beuker believes the Huskies have what it takes to once again go far.
"Last year, we came so close," he said. "After having such a good year, there is always the chance of a letdown the next year, but we've continued to find good players and build a solid team."
As one of the veteran players on the Huskies, Beuker has helped the new players - many of whom are WHL grads - get accustomed to life and hockey at the University level.
"It is a big change for these guys," said Beuker about making the jump from Major Junior to University. "The first half-year, you realize it's a night-and-day difference from playing junior...your mindset has to change in a big hurry.
"You try and tell the younger guys that school comes first, and that is why they're here.
"If you have something that takes precedent over hockey, the guys on the team can step up and say 'take care of your business, and we'll look after what happens on the ice'," he said.
"It makes us a closer group because everyone is there to help each other out because (schooling) is such a big deal," added Beuker.
While he may have played his last regular-season contest in the CIS, Beuker's CIS career is not yet done as the Canada-West playoffs are set to begin on the weekend. The Huskie earned a bye to the Conference semi-final through winning their division.
After coming so close to a championship last season, Beuker would like nothing more than to get another crack at a University Cup. He says the team's focus can't be long-term or what has happened in the past.
"I think we just can't look too far ahead," said Beuker. " There are so many good teams and good players in this league.
"Sure, we were 23 second away from winning last year, but we have a new group and new goals this year," he said. "We weren't play too great coming into the playoffs, so we're working hard to find out identity and figure out a way we can do this so we can feel good about ourselves going into our playoff game.
