NATION PROFILE: JEFF BEUKEBOOM

At 6.05, 230 Jeff Beukeboom was a giant of a man who had no trouble winning battles, clearing the front of the net and disposing of the garbage scorers. He could also pass the puck and play defense, and enjoyed a quality NHL career. 

Chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round (19th overall) in the 1983 entry draft. He was the first non-goaltender ever drafted in NHL’s first round without having scored at least one goal in the season before he was drafted

courtesy hockey draft central

—

Beukeboom was drafted in 1983, right at the end of the cluster that began in 1979 and is often considered as being the best 5-year draft cluster by one team in NHL history. The group includes goaltenders Grant Fuhr and Andy Moog, defensemen Paul Coffey, Kevin Lowe, Steve Smith and Beukeboom, along with forwards Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson, Jari Kurri, Walt Poddubny, Marc Habscheid, Jaroslav Pouzar and Esa Tikkanen.

Jeff is the nephew of former NHL defenseman Ed Kea, and his cousin is former NHL player (and Dallas GM) Joe Nieuwendyk. They were on opposite sides of the 1980’s Battles of Alberta, some of the most vicious hockey in the game’s history. 

Because of his exceptional size and wingspan, and his ability to play defense, Beukeboom didn’t spend long in the minors despite being drafted by such a strong team in Edmonton. Beukeboom spent a season and a little more in the AHL and then graduated to the NHL. He was an outstanding and fearsome hitter, but he could also play the game, utiliziing his long reach effectively with the poke check and "active stick" on the penalty kill. 

Although very physical and a pim magnet, he did not have the reputation for being a dirty player. 

 

Glen Sather traded Beukeboom to the NY Rangers for David Shaw. This completed the transaction that sent Mark Messier to the Rangers earlier that fall. The Messier portion of the deal was made October 4, while Beukeboom was sent away November 12.  

Despite a long and successful career, Beukeboom is best remembered for the following: 6 concussions, including one in which he was sucker punched from behind by LA King forward Matt Johnson. Three months later he was concussed again by a seemingly minor hit in a game against Carolina.

That injury left him with headaches and trouble concentrating. Jeff Beukeboom’s career ended for all intents and purposes moments before the photo above was taken.