| Born: | Oct 4, 1989 | Draft: | 2008 Hurricanes, 14th Overall |
| Hometown: | Calgary, Alberta | Position: | Centre |
| Known For: | 2x Spengler Cup Winner | Shoots: | Left |
| National Team: | Canada | Current Status: | Retired |
Zach Boychuk (born October 4, 1989) is a Canadian ice hockey player, currently under contract with the Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Hockey League (DEL). Drafted 14th overall by Carolina Hurricanes in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Boychuk made a name for himself as a member of the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL). In his second full season with Lethbridge, he finished third in WHL scoring with 91 points in 69 games. After two more steady seasons in juniors, Boychuk made the jump to the major leagues, making his debut with Carolina in the 2008-09 season. He appeared in two games, registering no points, and was sent down to the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL).
In five seasons with the Hurricanes organization, Boychuk could never hold down a full-time role, and was often relegated to the AHL and used as a first-callup player in the case of an injury. His first NHL goal came in 2010, scoring on legendary Martin Brodeur. Three years later, Boychuk was claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. It would be a string of waiver claims for him that year, as he was later taken by the Nashville Predators from Pittsburgh, who then lost him back to Carolina.
Boychuk spent three more seasons with the Hurricanes, but his final season in North America occurred solely in the AHL. Eager to pursue bigger opportunities, Boychuk opted to leave North America at the conclusion of the 2015-16 season and continue his career in Europe. After stints in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the Swiss National League, he found a home with Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey League (DEL). Boychuk can often be found on Team Canada’s Spengler Cup roster, and is a back-to-back DEL Champion with the Berlin team.
Zach Boychuk Statistics
Deeper Dive
- Hurricanes Renewed Faith In Zach Boychuk
- Carolina Hurricanes: Zach Boychuk Excelling in AHL
- Predators Strike Gold in Zach Boychuk Waiver Claim
Achievements
- CHL Top Prospects Game (2008)
- U20 WJC Gold Medal (2008)
- WHL (East) Second All-Star Team (2008)
- WHL Playoffs Most Goals (13) (2008)
- U20 WJC Gold Medal (2009)
- AHL Player of the Week (Mar. 27, 2011)
- AHL Most Goals (Willie Marshall Award) (36) (2014)
- AHL Player of the Month (March) (2014)
- AHL Second All-Star Team (2014)
- KHL All-Star Game (2018)
- KHL Forward of the Month (November, 2018)
- KHL Forward of the Week (Nov. 27, 2018)
- 2x Spengler Cup Winner (Team Canada) (2018, 2020)
- NL Champion (Bern) (2019)
- Spengler Cup All-Star Team (2019)
- DEL Champion (2021)