Rookie Round-Up: Brock Beukeboom, Toledo Walleye

Every week leading up to October 13, the Rookie Round-Up will give ECHL fans the chance to get to know a rookie who has signed with an ECHL team for the 2017-18 season.  This week, the ECHL spoke with Brock Beukeboom of the Toledo Walleye. He’s eagerly awaiting and preparing for his first professional game – get to know him in this Q&A!

Name: Brock Beukeboom

Age: 25

Hometown: Uxbridge, Ontario

ECHL Team: Toledo Walleye

2016-17 Team: University of Prince Edward Island (28 gp, 4g, 7a, 11 pts.)

ECHL: What should Walleye fans know about you?

Brock Beukeboom: I’m a solid two-way defenseman with a good work ethic. I try to make my opponents’ life miserable, but at the same time, I play honest and fair. I’m a good team player and will do whatever it takes to win each time we hit the ice.

ECHL: Why did you choose to sign with Toledo?

BB: It’s kind of an interesting story to be honest with you. I hadn’t used Twitter in about two-and-a-half years and I decided one day that it would probably be a good idea to reactivate it. So I signed back in and the next day I had a message waiting for me from (Walleye head scout) Ed Burkholder. I knew Ed from when I played in Niagara (Ontario Hockey League), and he was on the radio broadcasts. He said he had some info for me and to call him. We had a great chat and gave me Dan Watson’s number and said Dan was waiting for my call. I enjoyed talking with him and within a week we were able to get a deal done. I’ve heard it’s a top-notch organization and one of the best cities to play in the ECHL, so I am definitely looking forward to getting there and getting started.

ECHL: What are you most looking forward to heading into your first pro season?

BB: I want to hit the ground running but at the same time, keep things simple. I want to soak up as much knowledge as I can from my coaches and teammates and use that to my advantage as the season goes on. I want to have fun with it too. It is pro hockey and it is a business, but at the end of the day, hockey is a game.

ECHL: Your dad (1994 Stanley Cup champion Jeff Beukeboom) and several other relatives have played hockey at a high level. What advice have they offered you as you transition to pro hockey?

BB: Actually what I said above is pretty much exactly what my dad said to me when I asked him what I should expect. He said to keep building off your successes and to keep a level head. Get a feel for the other players and teams in the league and use that information the next time you play them.

ECHL: How are you spending your summer? BB: This offseason is one of the most important I’ve had since the summer before I was drafted (in 2010 by the Tampa Bay Lightning). In addition to my normal workout routines, I’ve been living in PEI and working at an oyster farm. In a week and a half my family and I will be travelling to Ireland to see my sister compete in the World Cup of Rugby. I have a fire in my belly and am excited to get this journey started so I’ve been pushing myself.

ECHL: Have you connected with any of your future teammates?

BB: I know several guys who played there last season – Beau Schmitz, A.J. Jenks, Jordan Hill – and I saw the other day they just acquired Austen Brassard who I know as well. I also know Kyle Bonis really well, I’ve basically known him my entire life. He’s told me the fans in Toledo are unbelievable and it really gives you an extra push when you’re playing at home. He said the organization is top notch and the fans are tremendous. Toledo is a premier team in the league and you’ll have a lot of playing there.