By Kris Smith
The right winger from Nijmegen, Holland joined the Stars in 2016, after icing for Amiens in the French League in the previous season, where he scored 20 points (eight goals + 12 assists) in 29 games.
Before joining the Stars, Bruijsten had played four games for Czech side, Orli Znojmo in the Estre Bank Eishockey League but then switched to the Elite League for the rest of the season.
Kevin had also brought with him a 15 year professional hockey career and the then 29-year-old had previously played in the top two Dutch hockey leagues, the German fourth division, the French League and represented and captained his country at Under 18’s, Under 20’s and the Men’s level.
The Dutchman begun his career back in 2001 with the Nijmegen Devils II before he worked his way up through the ranks and played with; Nijmegen Emperors, Vadeko Flyers Heerenveen and Amstel Tijgers along the way.
In 2008, Bruijsten left his hometown for the first time as he signed for German club, ESC Moskitos Essen but after one season in Germany he returned to the Netherlands, where he would then ice for Romijnders Devils Nijmegen for the next two seasons.
Although, Kevin would leave Holland again in 2014 as he began a two-year spell with Amiens in the French league and then the following season, he would arrive in Tayside.
In the 2016-2017 season, he played on 53 occasions for the Stars and scored 59 points (25 goals + 34 assists), while racking up 14 penalty minutes.
As soon as he arrived in Dundee, Kevin stood out immediately as a deadly goal scorer and it was obvious he was going to be an integral part of the Stars offence that season.
However, at the end of the season and after captaining the Dutch team at the World Championships, Bruijsten moved on and would play for three more seasons before retiring.
He spent his final three years playing with Dutch side, Tilburg Trappers and they competed in the German third division but are the only non-German team in the league and despite that, they have won their division for the last three years running.
Next-up in our ‘Look Back’ series we will be bringing you a special Stats of the Stars for the 2016-2017 season and it will be available here at 12pm tomorrow.
If you want to be a part of the historic 20th Dundee Stars season then you can buy your season tickets by contacting [email protected]
