Career

He played junior hockey for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (1982-1985). After being selected in the first round (19th overall) of the 1983 NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, he played in juniors for two more years before joining the Oilers. He won three Stanley Cups there, and was known as a hard-hitting defenceman.

He was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the New York Rangers on November 12, 1991 the same day the other member of the twin towers tandem in Edmonton, Steve Smith was undergoing a salary aribitration with the Chicago Blackhawks. At the time, neither the Rangers nor Oilers made any announcement to indicate that Buekeboom was part of the Mark Messier trade. At 6'5" 230 lbs, Beukeboom quickly established himself as a fan favourite and an anchor of the defence with his bodychecks and willingness to protect his teammates, through fighting if necessary. He played on the top defensive pairing with Brian Leetch, and was an alternate captain. Beukeboom's stay-at-home play allowed Leetch to lead the rush and kept opposing players out of the goal crease. He led the team in penalty minutes three times (1992-93, 93-94, 95-96) and was on four Stanley Cup winning teams (1987, 1988, 1990 and 1994). He was also known for his philanthropy, including Ice Hockey in Harlem. He won the Rangers' Crumb Bum Award, given for service to local youngsters (1996).

While with the Rangers, Beukeboom also appeared in a memorable This is Sportscenter spot in which he assaults ESPN's Steve Levy after being told Levy had referred to Beukeboom on-air as "puke-a-boom".

Due to his physical play, Beukeboom suffered multiple concussions, the most devastating of which came as a result of a sucker punch by Matt Johnson of the Los Angeles Kings in November 1998. Johnson received a 12-game suspension for intent to injure. While Beukeboom returned after a few games off he bumped his head again in a minor collision with Martin Gelinas in February 1999. Afterward, Beukeboom was left with recurrent headaches, memory loss, nausea, and mental fogginess that lasted for months. He was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, and ordered to never play hockey again. Beukeboom officially retired in July 1999 with a total of 1890 NHL penalty minutes in 804 games played, and is currently second all-time on the Rangers' penalty minutes list. Even after retiring, he continued to suffer post-concussion symptoms for almost two years before finally recovering. Beukeboom's last game was on February 12, 1999.

Post-NHL career

He returned to hockey as an assistant coach for the Toronto Roadrunners (AHL) for the 2003-2004 season. In 2005, he became President and part-owner of the Lindsay Muskies of the Ontario Provincial Junior "A" Hockey League. In 2008, Beukeboom became an assistant coach with the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League. In June 2009, Beukeboom was named the assistant coach of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. In 2012, he returned to the AHL as an assistant coach for the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Personal life

Beukeboom was born in Ajax, Ontario, but grew up in Lindsay, Ontario.

His son Brock is a prospect in the St. Louis Blues system and currently playing for the UPEI Panthers. Brock was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round (63rd pick) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded to the Blues in February 2011, along with a third round draft pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, in exchange for Eric Brewer. His daughter Tyson plays rugby for St. Francis Xavier University. In 2012, she was nominated for the CIS Female Athlete of the Year.

Beukeboom is a cousin of NHL player Joe Nieuwendyk, as well as a brother of former Ontario Hockey League players John and Brian Beukeboom. His nephew, Johnny McGuire, has played professionally with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League and the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.

Awards and honors

• Won a Stanley Cup with the Edmonton Oilers in 1987, 1988 and 1990. Also won with the New York Rangers in 1994.
• NY Rangers Crumb Bum Award - service to local youngsters (1996)
• OHL All-Star First Team (1984-85)
• Ranked No. 50 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & Sons, 2009).

[ Source: Wikipedia ]