Beyers in Canadian Jr. Hockey action.
(photo: Mike Maloney)
The United States Hockey League is unique in the sense that team’s have to reload year after year due to a high turnover rate. This offseason, the Fargo Force are trying to address their offense. Several key forwards have moved on from last year’s team and Fargo will be looking to reload with young talent like Steven Beyers.
Beyers played this past season in the Central Canadian Hockey League with Orangeville, and is originally from Orangeville, Ontario, Canada. The USHL only allows teams to have two imports, or three if at least one of the three is a returning player. Oleg Yevenko will be returning to Fargo next season, allowing the club to add two more imports, one of which may be Beyers.
In 26 total games for Orangeville during the 2009-2010 campaign, Beyers netted 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 total points. He had a remarkable 11 points in just six playoff games. In 2008-2009, when he played in the Ontario Junior Hockey League, Beyers had 31 points in 34 games.
The 18-year-old also has a big frame. He stands at 5’11” and weighs in at 185 pounds and the youngster still has plenty of time to grow. Beyers is somewhat of a blend between Nick Oliver and Johnnie Searfoss. Oliver is 6’2” 205 pounds and Searfoss is 6’0” and 175 pounds. Both his style and his size will be a mix between the two players.
It will be interesting to see where Beyers lands for the 2010-2011 season. With Fargo lacking depth and experience up front, Steve Johnson will likely make a strong push to get him to come to Fargo, but Beyers has had a lot of success with his hometown Orangeville team.
Beyers is young, but mature, and very talented. He will most likely attend the Fargo Force invite-only tryout camp July 25-28 in West Fargo. The fact that Fargo took Beyers with the 58th pick overall and their seventh selection as a club could be important. Taking a foreign player that high in the draft means that they will almost certainly find their way to Fargo.
This is part seven of a 16 part series, so check back for more profiles!
Part 1: Tanner Kero
Part 2: Jimmy Murray
Part 3: Daniel McNamara
Part 4: Austin Farley
Part 5: Tyler Maugeri
Part 6: Tanner Lane
Tim can be followed on Twitter @fmhockey.
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