Cochrane's Nick de Beurs is taking the next step in his hockey career.  

The forward with the Airdrie CFR Bisons of the Alberta Midget Hockey League has signed a letter of intent to play next season with the Alberta Junior Hockey League's (AJHL) Drumheller Dragons. 

de Beurs played his third game this season as an affiliate player with Drumheller last night in a 4 - 3 overtime loss to the Okotoks Oilers.

de Beurs is excited to sign with the Dragons after hoping to join the AJHL for some time.

"I'm really excited," he says.  "I have wanted to sign with an AJHL team for a while and this seemed like the right team."

de Beurs wants to get an education by following his hockey dreams.

"I just want to get an education, most importantly.  Whether it's through western or through NCAA, I mean, that's the most important thing."

In 15 games with the Bisons this year, de Beurs has collected six goals, three of them game winners, and has added 10 assists.  When asked how his family feels about him signing the letter with the Dragons, de Beurs says they're happy for him, but adds, tongue in cheek, they might have ulterior motives.

"They're probably happy to have me out of the house," he laughs.

de Beurs was selected in the eighth round of the 2017 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft by the Red Deer Rebels.  

He will play the remainder of the Alberta Midget Hockey League season with the Bisons but may be called up by the Dragons for more games as an affiliate. 

With about six weeks left in the AJHL's regular season, the Dragons are in the playoff mixed and currently have a grip on third in the Viterra (south) division.