Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of the Los Angeles Kings
- Name: Brian Boyle
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-7
- Weight: 235 lbs
- Birthdate: 1984-12-18
- Eligible for Draft: 2003
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Hingham, MA
- Acquired: 1st Round, #26 overall, 2003
- Playing In: Pro
Brian Boyle
Prospect Grade: 7.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: David A. Rainer
History
2003-04: Boyle played on a vastly talented Boston College team after starring at St. Sebastian's high school. He was stuck behind prominent upperclassman and subsequently did not receiving top ice time. But that is expected of freshmen on top college teams. Boyle spent this season adapting to playing against bigger players and learning how to use his size. Expect Boyle to emerge as a top center for Boston College next season.
2004-05: Started off the season slow, but really came on strong after the winter holiday break. Began to emerge as Boston College's 2nd center and powerplay specialist. Developed his skating ability and showed signs of becoming the dominate center the Kings were hoping for last season. If his development continues, he will likely be the top center for Boston College as a junior.
2005-06: Boyle far exceeded everyone’s expectations in his junior season with Boston College. After a slow start, Boyle turned it on for the second half of the season, finishing second on the team in goals (22), first in assists (30) and tied for ninth in the nation for points (52). Filling a need, Boyle even saw some time on the penalty kill as a defenseman.
2006-07: Boyle once again lead his team to the National Championship game but failed to go out a winner, losing to Michigan St. His 34 assists and 53 points would lead Boston College in both categories, where he was even called upon to fill in as a defenseman in spot duty. At the conclusion of the college season, Boyle signed an entry-level contract with Los Angeles and moved his game to Manchester in time for the playoffs where he scored eight points in 16 games for the Monarchs.
Talent Analysis
Boyle is 6'7" and relatively skilled for his size. He has adequate skating ability for a 6'7 man and can be a large frame in front of the goaltender on powerplays as a center. Extremely hard to knock off his skates, but still loafs a bit at times which still requires some work. If he learns to use his size to lean on the competition, Boyle can develop into a power center in the Keith Primeau mold. Diverse enough to also play on defense, Boyle may be converted to a defenseman if he is unable to progress further than a grinding forward in the NHL. With his big body and long reach, Boyle has the skills to exceed on this side of the rink as well if he can learn the positioning and skating skills unique to playing on the blueline.
Future
Boyle was considered by many to be a long term project when drafted as one of three first-round forwards by the Los Angeles Kings. However, he possesses the prototypical size and skills of a power forward. Both Boston College and the Kings organization have recently experimented with Boyle on defense and a switch to the blueline appears to be in the making. While he might develop into a top-quality third line forward, a switch to defense might otherwise produce a top-pairing defenseman. However, with a change of position coming at the age of 23, Boyle is still a long term project. What position he ultimately ends up at is yet to be determined.
ETA: 2008-09
Stats
| Year |
Team |
League |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
PIM |
| 2002-03 |
St. Sebastian's |
USHSE |
31 |
32 |
31 |
63 |
46 |
| 2003-04 |
Boston College |
NCAA |
35 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
36 |
| 2004-05 |
Boston College |
NCAA |
38 |
18 |
8 |
26 |
58 |
| 2005-06 |
Boston College |
NCAA |
40 |
22 |
30 |
52 |
90 |
| 2006-07 | Boston College | NCAA | 42 | 19 | 34 | 53 | 104 |
| Manchester | AHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Manchester* | AHL | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 13 |
*=playoffs
Profile Last Updated: January, 19th 2008
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