Dustin Byfuglien Becomes First Cougars Alumni To Win Stanley Cup

PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Cougars are proud to congratulate Dustin Byfuglien on helping the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup Wednesday night in Philadelphia. Byfuglien becomes the first former Cougars player to become a Stanley Cup Champion.

Byfuglien played a key role in helping the Blackhawks end a 49-year Stanley Cup drought, collecting 11 goals and 16 points in 22 games during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. In the final two games of the post-season, Byfuglien had three goals and five points, including a four point effort in game 5 of the Finals. The 6’4”, 257 pounder from Roseau, Minnesota, finished the playoffs with a league-high five game winning goals.

The Cougars acquired Byfuglien from the Brandon Wheat Kings early in the 2002-03 season. Byfuglien played 178 Western Hockey League games for the Cougars, notching 47 goals and adding 93 assists for 140 career points in a Cougars uniform. Byfuglien led the Cougars in scoring during his final season in Prince George, collecting 22 goals and 36 assists for 58 points during the 2004-05 campaign. Following his first season in Prince George, Byfuglien was drafted in the eighth round, 245th overall, by the Blackhawks in the 2003 NHL Entry draft.

“The Cougars organization is very proud of what Dustin has accomplished in his career,” said Cougars General Manager Dallas Thompson. “We are extremely happy for Dustin that he was able to reach his ultimate goal by winning the Stanley Cup.”

The Cougars also congratulate alumni Blair Betts for helping the Philadelphia Flyers win the Eastern Conference Championship. Betts played in 215 career regular season games for the Cougars from 1996-2000, and is currently fifth in Cougars career scoring with 207 points, earning 91 goals and 116 assists. Betts and Byfuglien became the first former Cougars players to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.