Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of HF
- Name: Zach Boychuk
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Birthdate: 1989-10-04
- Eligible for Draft: 2008
- Drafted: 2008
- Hometown: Airdrie, Alberta
- Acquired: 1st round (14th overall), 2008
- Playing In: Pro
Zach Boychuk
Prospect Grade: 7.5 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2005-06: Played 64 games with Lethbridge Hurricanes in WHL. He scored 18 goals with 33 assists and 30 PIM with +3 plus/minus. Had 5 assists in six playoff games for the Hurricanes.
2006-07: In his second season with Lethbridge Boychuk scored 31 goals with 60 assists, and a +19 plus/minus while finishing third overall in the WHL regular season scoring race. Boychuk played for Team Canada at the WJC U-18 tournament, scoring 4 goals with 3 assists in six games.
2007-08: Boychuk collected 33 goals and 39 assists in 61 games in his second season with Lethbridge and was +26 with 80 PIM. He was especially dangerous with the man advantage, scoring 12 power play goals. Boychuk was a key player in the Hurricanes playoff run to the WHL Championship series against the eventual Memorial Cup champion Spokane Chiefs. In 18 games he scored 13 goals with 8 assists despite playing with what turned out to be a broken wrist for much of the post-season.
2008-09: Made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes, appearing in two games to start the season before being returned to Lethbridge for his final season of juniors. In 43 regular season games with the Hurricanes he scored 28 goals with 29 assists and was +16 despite suffering an ankle injury with Team Canada at the WJC which slowed him a bit. In six games with Team Canada at the mid-season tournament he had 4 goals with 3 assists. In 11 playoff games with the Hurricanes, he scored 7 goals with 6 assists and following the WHL playoffs he finished his season playing two games with the Hurricanes' AHL affiliate in Albany; posting 1 assist.
2009-10: Thought to be a candidate for the NHL's Calder Cup for top rookie entering the season, Boychuk instead spent much of his first season shuffling between the Hurricanes and Albany as the Hurricanes struggled with a veteran lineup. In 52 games with the River Rats, Boychuk scored 15 goals, five of which came on the power play, with 21 assists. In 31 games with Carolina, Boychuk proved he was capable of competing at the NHL level; scoring 3 goals with 9 assists and +1 plus/minus.
Talent Analysis
Boychuk is a fast and offensively gifted forward. Plays with courage and toughness - played much of the WHL playoffs with a broken wrist in 2007-08. A bit lighter and smaller than ideal NHL forwards, he is highly-skilled and uses hockey smarts to overcome his limitations. Still learning the nuances of pro hockey and sometimes has lapses in the neutral and defensive zones.
Future
Should crack the Hurricanes lineup this season. In the long-term, has the ability to be a solid second line forward with the ability to play in all situations. His offensive instincts also suggest power play potential.
Stats
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Profile Last Updated: August, 11th 2010
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