Player's Profile
- Name: Riley Boychuk
- Position: LW
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Birthdate: 1991-02-20
- Eligible for Draft: 2009
- Drafted: 2010
- Hometown: Abbotsford, British Columbia
- Acquired: 7th round (208th overall), 2010
- Playing In: Pro
Riley Boychuk
Prospect Grade: 6.5 D (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2008-09: Boychuk scored 7 goals with 10 assists and 86 PMs in a limited role in his first full WHL season with the Portland Winterhawks. Boychuk (-10) was one of 14 players who had a double-digit negative plus/minus as Portland won just 19 games and finished last in the WHL's United States division.
2009-10: Boychuk,increased his offensive production in his second WHL season as Portland was one of the turnaround stories in hockey, winning 44 games in the regular season and advancing to the second round of the playoffs. Boychuk was also a physical force for the Winterhawks; his 157 PMs were nearly double his 2008-09 total and second-most for Portland behind only WHL penalty minutes leader Brad Ross (TOR). In 66 regular season games, he scored 14 goals with 16 assists and was +12 plus/minus. In the playoffs, he scored 2 goals with 1 assist and was -1 with 24 PMs.
2010-11: Boychuk was once again a physical force while contributing offensively in his third season with Portland (WHL); though limited to 60 games due to nagging injuries. Boychuk was second on the Winterhawks with 148 PMs while scoring 18 goals with 17 assists and finishing with a +5 plus/minus. In the WHL playoffs, Boychuk scored 3 of his 4 goals on the power play and added 8 assists in 21 games as Portland reached the finals before falling to the Kootenay Ice. He finished the playoffs -2 while racking up 50 PMs.
Talent Analysis
Boychuk is a big winger who is not an offensive dynamo but is gritty, tough and plays with a lot of heart. He has shown a willingness to go into the dirty areas to retrieve pucks and punish opponents, making him one of the more feared hitters in the WHL in 2010-11. Boychuk will never be a top six winger in the NHL but he adds just enough finish around the net to make him a better than average future fourth liner.
Future
Boychuk has one more year of eligibility in the WHL and to date it hasn’t been determined where he will suit up in 2011-12. He could either play one more year with Portland in the WHL or make is pro debut with the Amerks. Either way, Boychuk gives an honest effort every game and should quickly gain the eye of the Sabres brass. Boychuk will most likely spend a couple years in the AHL before he becomes an NHL regular, but because of his role as a tough fourth liner, he could see call up time as early as late 2012-13.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: November, 1st 2011
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