A junior incarnation of the wrestling figure nicknamed The Beast is now headed to major-junior hockey.
With pick No. 115 at this year's WHL prospect selection event, the Tigers of Medicine Hat scooped up Duke Lesnar, a forward. The 14-year-old counts among his parents the renowned pro wrestler and MMA figure Brock Lesnar, as well as Sable, herself a former wrestling personality.
Posting the choice across social platforms, the club expressed pride at landing him via that 115th overall slot out of the U15 Prep program at Notre Dame, where he skated for the Hounds.
Among a trio of hockey-playing Lesnar brothers, Duke ranks as the youngest. This past campaign found him with that same Hounds club — a U-15 Prep outfit out of Wilcox in Saskatchewan — where he produced 13 goals to go with 15 helpers, good for 28 points, while racking up a total of 43 minutes in penalties through 30 appearances. Though his birthplace was Minnesota, he made the move with his family northward into Saskatchewan during 2014.
The senior brother, Alexander Lesnar, plays at the ACHA DII collegiate level for Saint John's University, situated in Minnesota's Collegeville. A year ahead of Duke in age, Turk Lesnar likewise suits up within that same Hounds organization, handling duties on its U17 AAA roster.
Prior to making his name in pro wrestling, the elder Lesnar gained notice as a wrestler — a two-time All-American at the NCAA level and a heavyweight titlist — before bringing those credentials over to WWE. Within the company he reigned as WWE champion on seven separate occasions and held the Universal title three times.
His exit from WWE came in 2004, when he tried out during NFL preseason with Minnesota's Vikings. After that he wrestled a while in Japan, then in 2008 shifted toward mixed martial arts and joined the UFC. The promotion's heavyweight belt became his when he downed Randy Couture in their UFC 91 bout, a fight staged on the 15th of November in 2008.