Former Cougar Dustin Byfuglien Wins Stanley Cup
When the Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane ended the 2009-10 NHL season at 4:06 of overtime Wednesday night in Philadelphia, Prince George Cougars history went into the net as well. For the first time, a former Cougars player will have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, as Dustin Byfuglien got a chance to hoist hockey’s biggest prize at the Wachovia Centre.
r
rByfuglien spent nearly three full seasons in a Cougars uniform, after being acquired from the Brandon Wheat Kings early in the 2002-03 season. Byfuglien quickly became a fan favourite at CN Centre, with his big frame and even bigger slap shot facing opponents. In 178 regular season games for the Cougars, Byfuglien posted 47 goals and 140 points and led the club in scoring during the 2004-05 season, his final year in Prince George, with 22 goals and 58 points. Following his first season in Prince George, the Blackhawks drafted Byfuglien in the eighth round, 245th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
r
rWhile Byfuglien was in the front seat of the Blackhawks playoff ride by the end of the post-season, it took him a while to become the presence everyone took notice of. Byfuglien was held off the score sheet in the first eight games of the playoffs, which saw the Hawks knock out the Nashville Predators in the first round in six games and then went to Vancouver for games 3 and 4 of the second round tied at 1. Cue Byfuglien’s impact for the Hawks. Byfuglien recorded his first career playoff hat-trick against Roberto Luongo and the Canucks in game 3 and added an assist in game 4. Byfuglien then went on a five game goal-scoring streak, starting with the game 6 series clinching win over the Canucks and then scored a goal in each game during Chicago’s four game sweep of the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Final, including three game winners. Byfuglien became the first Cougars alumni to reach round 4 of the NHL playoffs and would be joined by another Cougars alumni from the Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Flyers, when Blair Betts helped the Flyers through to the final round, dominating face-offs and providing a solid checking role for the Flyers.
r
rThe big battle for Byfuglien against the Flyers was Chris Pronger, who helped shut down Byfuglien, along with stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, through the first four games of the series. The teams headed back to the Windy City for Game 5 and Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville decided to shake up his line-up. The decision worked. Byfuglien dominated game five, with two goals and two more assists and finished the game at +3. In game 6, Byfuglien opened the scoring for his 11th goal of the playoffs and Kane ended the game in overtime and ended the Hawks 49 year Stanley Cup drought. Byfuglien finished the post season with 11 goals and 16 points in 22 games and led the playoffs with five game winning goals. In an interview with nhl.com following the game, it was clear Byfuglien had played enough hockey this season. "I definitely told myself I didn’t want to put on the equipment anymore after (Wednesday). Now, I don’t — so it’s great."
r
rByfuglien added, “It was unreal. It’s hard to say. It’s a great feeling and one I’ll never forget it. It’s hard to put into words."
r
rPhoto courtesy Getty Images
r
