Brian Boyle

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.

2007-08: Boyle began the season on the blueline for Manchester but struggled greatly to pick up the nuances of defensive positioning and skating.  While he had no troubles finding the back of the net, especially on the power play where he resumed his traditional center position, Boyle was a liability defensively as quicker and more skilled forwards routinely had the extra gear to get past him for break-away scoring opportunities.  With a move back to his natural position, Boyle enjoyed a renaissance of sorts.  The goals began to come in bunches and Manchester would reap the benefits in the standings as a result.  Consequently, Boyle enjoyed his first taste of Los Angeles and exceeded all expectations with three points in his first two games.

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 power plays 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, the organization experimented with him on the blueline but instead settled on him at center for the long term.

Future

Boyle possesses the prototypical size and skills of a power forward.  He was shifted back to his natural position of center where he seemed to dominate in the AHL.  While the experiment was not a success in itself, it did contribute to a better understanding of the defensive role a center plays on the team –- a role that Boyle needed to learn to earn his ice time in the NHL.