Former Cyclone hockey forward Pete Majkozak was recently awarded a spot on the Liege Bulldogs team in Liege, Belgium.

Majkozak left the states Aug. 18, and the rosters were finalized at the end of the month.

“I never actually thought I would have an opportunity to play professionally until after the World University Games Tournament [in China] my junior year,” Majkozak said. “That really opened my eyes.”

Majkozak has been in contact with Glenn Detulleo, who previously played for the ISU hockey club. Detulleo played in Europe for three years and has been playing in North America for the past six years.  

Detulleo and Majkozak worked together during the summer giving Majkozak the opportunity to pick his brain about his experience overseas.

“He helped a lot with all the off-ice issues that you may face as far as contracts and dealing with the teams management,” Majkozak said.

Adjusting off the ice is what Majkozak said was the most difficult.

“Hockey is the easy part, I’ve been playing it my whole life,” he said.

Liege is a city that doesn’t see many tourists, and because of that, not many speak English. Majkozak said he is trying to learn French while there, which will make it easier for him to communicate with the locals.

ISU hockey coach Al Murdoch said that he has kept in contact with Majkozak and has been following his progress. The coach made it clear that he would not provide recommendations for Majkozak until he received his college degree, which he did in spring 2010.

Murdoch then helped Majkozak send out multiple resumes around the world in hopes to continue Majkozak’s hockey career.

One of the connections the coach offered to Majkozak was Hakan Gronlund of Sweden. Gronlund is a coaching associate of Murdoch and he immediately put Majkozak in touch with multiple coaches, including Guido Lamberti-Charles, who worked to try and get Majkozak the chance to try out for an elite league in Germany.

Murdoch later contacted a coach who had been in Germany that later moved on to Belgium to continue coaching. Majkozak was offered a spot to try out.

When asked what advice Murdoch had for Majkozak he said, “[He needs to] score goals when he has the opportunity. Don’t be passing off to other people, just score and if push comes to shove don’t be afraid to drop the gloves and fight. And he can fight.”

Murdoch went on to say that Majkozak is one of the fastest skaters and best natural scorers he has ever had.

Murdoch said Majkozak has a chance to make it professionally. He has to work hard all the time, get in shape and be tough.

“He’s capable of doing it, but he’s got to do it now,” Murdoch said. “He’s got to show it, just like the tryouts in Belgium. He has to do it.”

Being a fast skater will give Majkozak an advantage while skating overseas. European rinks are 98 feet wide as opposed to the 85-foot-wide rinks played on in the NHL.

Majkozak will be playing for the Bulldogs until April 2011.

He has created a blog that he updates frequently, and he encourages friends and fans to follow him on his blog at http://petehockey.blogspot.com/ as he takes his shot at playing for the pros.