Goalie tops Dallas Stars’ five-player haul in NHL Draft

Congratulations to Pulver Sports client Tyler Beskorowany who was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 2008 NHL entry draft.

Tyler Beskorowany admits he was a "nervous wreck" in the days leading up to the NHL Draft.

By Saturday afternoon, the 18-year-old goaltender could relax and look forward to the future. Beskorowany was the Dallas Stars’ first pick, going in the second round, 59th overall. The Stars also selected centers Scott Winkler and Matthew Tassone, as well as defensemen Philip Larsen and Mike Bergin.

The 6-foot-4 Beskorowany (pronounced Bess-core-aw-nee) had a 4.04 goals-against average and .900 save percentage in 35 games last season with the Owen Sound Attack, a rebuilding squad that was the second-youngest team in the Ontario Hockey League. "This is quite an accomplishment for me," Beskorowany said of his selection. "After I got picked up, I knew I had a place to go. Hopefully, I can get there one day and help the Stars out."

Tim Bernhardt, the Stars’ director of amateur scouting, said Beskorowany has "a sound base you don’t see in a lot of kids his age. He understands the position and has a lot of untapped potential. He plays similar to [former Stars goaltender] Mike Smith." Winkler played for Norway in the World Junior Championships. He recently played in the Kansas City area for Russell Stover of the U.S. Midget Junior League, recording 40 goals and 52 assists in 70 games.

Tassone played for Swift Current of the Western Hockey League and the Stars say he has a good balance of toughness and skill. Larsen played with Frondula of the Swedish Elite League, the team that is now coached by former Stars assistant Ulf Dahlen. Bernhardt said the 6-3, 197-pound Bergin is a "very mobile" defenseman who has a scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute beginning this season.