Eleven days after they drafted him, the Prince George Cougars can now insert defenceman Tyson Buczkowski into their game-day lineup.
The Cougars announced Monday they have signed the 2006-born Buczkowski to a Western Hockey League standard player agreement.
He joined the Cougar family Dec. 9 when they selected him in the first round of the WHL prospects draft, 15th overall.
Considered one of the top defencemen for his age group in Saskatchewan, the six-foot-five, 165-pound Buczkowski is currently the leading scorer among blueliners in the Saskatchewan U-18 triple-A Hockey League.
“We are excited to have Tyson and his family commit to our team and the WHL,” said Cougars’ general manager/head coach Mark Lamb. “Tyson has a lot of tools, and we feel he will big piece on our blueline going forward.”
In 23 games this season with the Saskatoon Blazers he has 18 points, with five goals and 13 assists. He was the captain of Team Saskatchewan at the WHL Cup in October and helped his team to a bronze medal.
“Tyson has a very complete game for a defenceman,” said Bob Simmonds, the Cougars’ director of scouting. “He generates a lot of offence from the blu line, he can run a power play, and is a very strong defender below the dots. He checks off a lot of boxes.
“He’s excited to be a Prince George Cougar.”
Buczkowski is eligible to play five games for the Cougars this season.
His father Paul was also an offensive-minded defenceman who averaged more than a point per game in more than 300 games over five seasons for the Saskatoon Blades.
