Zach Boychuk

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
prospect_team = Lethbridge Hurricanes
prospect_league = WHL
team = Carolina Hurricanes
league = NHL
position = Center
shoots = Left
height_ft = 5
height_in = 10
weight_lb = 175
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date and age|1989|10|4
birth_place = Calgary, AB
draft = 14th overall
draft_year = 2008
draft_team = Carolina Hurricanes
career_start =

Zachary Boychuk (born October 4, 1989 in Calgary, Alberta) is a Canadian junior ice hockey center. He was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round, 14th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He currently plays in the Western Hockey League with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Playing career

Boychuk began his junior career in 2005-06 with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League. 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. Leading the Hurricanes to the 2008 WHL Finals – he had 21 points in 18 playoff games – Lethbridge was, however, swept by eventual Memorial Cup winners, the Spokane Chiefs. Heading into the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Boychuk was ranked eighth by the Central Scouting Service among North American skaters. [citeweb|title=CSS Final Rankings announced|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=361534|publisher=New York Islanders|accessdate=2008-07-07|date=2008-04-24] He was chosen fourteenth overall by the Carolina Hurricanes.

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. [citeweb|title=Boychuk gets the go-ahead|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1228783.html|accessdate=2008-10-05|date=2008-09-23|publisher=The News & Observer] 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. [citeweb|title=Carolina Hurricanes sign 2008 first-round draft pick Zach Boychuk to contract|url=http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jkXQg-wCP8_kFDPpn_0hKbBwniRw|accessdate=2008-10-05|date=2008-10-04|publisher=Canadian Press]

International play

Prior to Boychuk's draft year in 2007-08, he competed in the 2007 Super Series, an under-20 eight-game series between Russia and Team Canada. The series marked the 35th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union. Boychuk contributed 4 goals and 2 assists in 7 games as Canada dominated and eventually won the series 7-0-1.

Later that season, Boychuk would also compete for Team Canada in the 2008 World Junior Championships, helping Canada to a fourth straight gold medal in the Czech Republic.

Career statistics

References

ee also

*List of WHL seasons

External links

*hockeydb|89914