Jeff Beukeboom is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on March 28, 1965, in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Beukeboom began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 1982. He played for the Greyhounds for three seasons, during which he established himself as a solid defenseman with a physical presence on the ice.
In 1985, Beukeboom was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round, 19th overall, in the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Oilers in the 1985-86 season and played for the team for four seasons. During his time with the Oilers, Beukeboom won two Stanley Cup championships in 1987 and 1988. He was known for his physical play and his ability to shut down opposing teams' top players.
In 1989, Beukeboom was traded to the New York Rangers, where he played for the next nine seasons. He quickly became a fan favorite in New York for his hard-hitting style of play and his willingness to stand up for his teammates. Beukeboom was a key member of the Rangers team that won the Stanley Cup championship in 1994, the team's first in 54 years. He played alongside fellow defensemen Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov, forming one of the best defensive units in the league.
Beukeboom's career was cut short by a series of concussions that he suffered during his playing days. He retired from the NHL in 1999 at the age of 34. In total, he played in 804 NHL games, scoring 30 goals and 126 assists for 156 points. He also accumulated 1,690 penalty minutes, a testament to his physical style of play.
After retiring from hockey, Beukeboom stayed involved in the game as a coach and scout. He served as an assistant coach for the OHL's Sudbury Wolves from 2000 to 2002 and then worked as a scout for the Rangers from 2002 to 2018. In 2018, he was named the head coach of the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs, a position he held until 2020.
Overall, Jeff Beukeboom was a tough, physical defenseman who was a key member of two Stanley Cup championship teams. He was known for his hard-hitting style of play and his ability to shut down opposing teams' top players. Although his career was cut short by injuries, he remained involved in the game as a coach and scout after retiring from playing.
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