Zachary Boychuk (born October 4, 1989) is a Canadian professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...
centre
Center or centre may refer to:
Mathematics
*Center (geometry), the middle of an object
* Center (algebra), used in various contexts
** Center (group theory)
** Center (ring theory)
* Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...
who is currently playing for
Eisbären Berlin
Eisbären Berlin (; English: ''Berlin Polar Bears'') is a professional ice hockey team based in Berlin, Germany. The team competes in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), the highest level of play in professional German ice hockey, and is also one ...
in the
Deutsche Eishockey Liga
The Deutsche Eishockey Liga (for sponsorship reasons called "PENNY Deutsche Eishockey Liga") (; English: ''German Ice Hockey League'') or DEL, is a German professional ice hockey league and the highest division in German ice hockey. Founded in ...
(DEL). He was drafted by the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...
in the first round, 14th overall, in the
2008 NHL Entry Draft
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, on June 20–21, 2008. The Senators were originally awarded the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, but because of ...
. He played
junior
Junior or Juniors may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music
* ''Junior'' (Junior Mance album), 1959
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* ''Junior'' (Kaki King album), 2010
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* ''Junior'' (1994 ...
with the
Lethbridge Hurricanes
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team currently members of the Eastern Conference (Central Division) of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The team is based in Lethbridge, Alberta, and play their home games at the E ...
of the
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior h ...
(WHL). He has represented Team Canada at the 2017, 2018, 2019
Spengler Cup
The Spengler Cup is an annual invitational ice hockey tournament held in Davos, Switzerland. First held in 1923, the Spengler Cup is often cited as the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world. The event is hosted by the Swiss tea ...
s.
Playing career
Boychuk began his
major junior
Junior hockey is a level of competitive ice hockey generally for players between 16 and 21 years of age. Junior hockey leagues in the United States and Canada are considered amateur (with some exceptions) and operate within regions of each cou ...
career in
2005–06 with the
Lethbridge Hurricanes
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a Canadian major junior ice hockey team currently members of the Eastern Conference (Central Division) of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The team is based in Lethbridge, Alberta, and play their home games at the E ...
of the
WHL. After recording 51 points in 64 games in his rookie season, he improved to 31 goals and 91 points in 69 games the next season, third overall in the WHL.
In Boychuk's draft year, he finished with 33 goals and 72 points, good for WHL East Second All-Star honours. Leading the Hurricanes to the
2008 WHL Finals – he had 21 points in 18 playoff games – Lethbridge was, however, swept by eventual
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup () is the national championship of the Canadian Hockey League, a consortium of three major junior ice hockey leagues operating in Canada and parts of the United States. It is a four-team round-robin tournament played between t ...
winners, the
Spokane Chiefs
The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League based out of Spokane, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL's Montreal Canadi ...
. Heading into the
2008 NHL Entry Draft
The 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, on June 20–21, 2008. The Senators were originally awarded the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, but because of ...
, Boychuk was ranked eighth by the Central Scouting Service among
North American
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Ca ...
skaters. He was chosen fourteenth overall by the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, ...
.
After attending the Hurricanes' prospect camp in July, he went into surgery for his left wrist, which he had injured during the
2008 WHL playoffs. He was cleared to play during the
2008–09 NHL preseason and on October 4, 2008, the Hurricanes signed him to a three-year, entry level contract.
He made his NHL debut against the
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...
on October 17, 2008 becoming the first Hurricanes player since
Eric Staal
Eric Craig Staal (born October 29, 1984) is a Canadian professional ice hockey center for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo ...
in 2003 to make his
NHL
The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...
debut in his draft year. He was returned to Lethbridge after appearing in two NHL games. Upon being sent down, Boychuk completed his fourth season of WHL hockey by registering 57 points (28g, 29a) in 43 regular-season games and leading the team with 13 points (7g, 6a) in 11 playoff contests.
He shared the Harry Ingarfield Memorial Award as Lethbridge's team MVP and won the team's plus/minus award.
He was an assistant captain for Team Canada in the 2009 U-20 World Junior Championship in Ottawa, his second WJC, and helped Canada win the gold medal for the second straight year.
He was reassigned by Carolina from Lethbridge (WHL) to the
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were a minor league professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.
History
Before the formation of the franchise
Without a viable indoor arena with a ...
on April 10, 2009. At the beginning of the
2009–10 he attended the Carolina Hurricanes training camp. He made his AHL debut with Albany and recorded one assist for his first career professional point at WBS on April 10, 2009.
He registered his first NHL goal Saturday February 13, 2010 against the
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional sports, professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...
. It was the opening goal of the game and scored against goaltender
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur (; born May 6, 1972) is a Canadian-American former professional ice hockey goaltender and current team executive. He played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), 21 of them for the New Jersey Devils, with whom ...
at the 16:47 mark of the first period. Assisted by
Brandon Sutter
Brandon Sutter (born February 14, 1989) is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Playing career Junior
...
, and
Brett Carson.
On December 29, 2010 he had his first multi-goal NHL game, with two goals, against the Ottawa Senators.
During the shortened
2012–13 season, on January 31, 2013 he was claimed off waivers from the Hurricanes by the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...
. In going scoreless in seven games with the Penguins, he was again placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by the
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators (commonly referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference, and ha ...
on March 5, 2013. On March 21, 2013 he was re-claimed by the Hurricanes on waivers. On December 6, 2013, after starting the season in the AHL, Boychuk was recalled by the Hurricanes after an injury to veteran defenseman
Mike Komisarek
Michael Komisarek (born January 19, 1982) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who spent his career with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL).
Playing career A ...
.
On July 7, 2015, Boychuk continued his tenure with the Hurricanes in signing a one-year, two-way contract with the club which would pay him $600,000 in the NHL or $200,000 in the AHL with his salary being guaranteed at $250,000. In the
2015–16 season, Boychuk was directly assigned to the AHL with the Checkers. Boychuk was unable to assert the impact from previous seasons with the Checkers and after producing 25 points in 56 games he was loaned by the Hurricanes to the
Bakersfield Condors
The Bakersfield Condors are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) based in Bakersfield, California. The team is owned by and affiliated with the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers. The Condors play their home g ...
, an affiliate to the
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...
in exchange for
Andrew Miller on March 7, 2016.
As a free agent at the expiration of his NHL contract with the Hurricanes, on September 8, 2016, Boychuk agreed to a professional try-out contract from the
Arizona Coyotes
The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...
to attend their training camp. After NHL, he agreed to his first contract abroad, playing in the Russian-based
KHL
The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL; russian: Континентальная хоккейная лига (КХЛ), Kontinental'naya khokkeynaya liga) is an international professional ice hockey league founded in 2008. It comprises member clubs b ...
, one season for
Sibir Novosibirsk followed by a season tenure with Slovakian entrant,
HC Slovan Bratislava
Hockey Club Slovan Bratislava ( sk, Hokejový klub Slovan Bratislava) is a professional ice hockey club based in Bratislava, Slovakia. In 2012, it left the Slovak Extraliga and joined the international Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In 2019, i ...
.
On June 1, 2018, Boychuk joined his third KHL club in as many seasons, agreeing to a one-year deal with Russian club,
Severstal Cherepovets
Hockey Club Severstal is a professional ice hockey team based in Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, Russia. They are members of the Tarasov Division in the Kontinental Hockey League.
History
Founded in 1956, the club was originally known as Stroitel ...
. In the ensuing
2018–19 season, Boychuk struggled to find his place with Severstal, posting just 4 points in 25 games. On November 19, 2018, he left the KHL and signed for the remainder of the season with Swiss club, SC Bern of the National League. SC Bern won the NL championship in 2019 and Boychuk assisted on the championship winning goal scored by Eric Blum.
On December 27, 2019, Boychuk joined
HC Fribourg-Gottéron
HC Fribourg-Gottéron is a professional ice hockey team based in Fribourg, Switzerland, which competes in the National League (NL). The team is the sixth most attended team in Switzerland for the 2015/16 season with 6,156 spectators.
History
The ...
of the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
(NL) for the remainder of the
2019–20 season as a replacement for injured
David Desharnais
David Kevin Denis Desharnais (born September 14, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the National League (ice hockey), National League (NL). NHL Entry Draft, Undrafted, he originally s ...
.
International play
Prior to Boychuk's draft year in
2007–08, he competed in the
2007 Super Series
The 2007 Super Series (russian: Суперсерия 2007; french: 2007 Super Série) was an eight-game Under-20 ice hockey challenge between Russia and Canada. The series was won by Canada, who shocked the Russians with seven wins and one tie ...
, an under-20 eight-game series between
Russia
Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...
and
Team Canada. The series marked the 35th anniversary of the
1972 Summit Series
The Summit Series, Super Series 72, Canada–USSR Series (russian: Суперсерия СССР — Канада, Superseriya SSSR — Kanada), or Series of the Century (french: Série du siècle, Séries of the Century), was an eight-game ic ...
between
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
and the
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...
. Boychuk contributed 4 goals and 2 assists in 7 games as Canada dominated and eventually won the series 7–0–1.
Boychuk would also compete for Team Canada in the
2008 World Junior Championships and
2009 World Junior Championships, helping Canada to a fourth and fifth straight gold medal in the
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...
and
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
.
In late December 2017, he helped Team Canada win the prestigious
Spengler Cup
The Spengler Cup is an annual invitational ice hockey tournament held in Davos, Switzerland. First held in 1923, the Spengler Cup is often cited as the oldest invitational ice hockey tournament in the world. The event is hosted by the Swiss tea ...
in
Davos
, neighboring_municipalities= Arosa, Bergün/Bravuogn, Klosters-Serneus, Langwies, S-chanf, Susch
, twintowns =
}
Davos (, ; or ; rm, ; archaic it, Tavate) is an Alpine resort town and a municipality in the Prättigau/Davos R ...
, scoring one goal in the championship game.
Personal
His twin sister Corissa Boychuk was an international trampolinist who won medals at world championships between 2009 and 2013. She retired after the 2013 World Championship. They also have a younger sister Chelsie who does competitive gymnastics.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
International
Awards and honours
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boychuk, Zach
1989 births
Living people
Albany River Rats players
Bakersfield Condors players
SC Bern players
Canadian ice hockey centres
Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Slovakia
Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Russia
Canadian people of Ukrainian descent
Carolina Hurricanes draft picks
Carolina Hurricanes players
Charlotte Checkers (2010–) players
Eisbären Berlin players
Ice hockey people from Alberta
Lethbridge Hurricanes players
Nashville Predators players
National Hockey League first-round draft picks
People from Airdrie, Alberta
Pittsburgh Penguins players
Severstal Cherepovets players
HC Sibir Novosibirsk players
HC Slovan Bratislava players
Canadian twins
Twin sportspeople