Zach Boychuk Zachary Boychuk ( born October 4 , 1989 ) is a professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League . He was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round , 14th overall , in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft . He played junior with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League ( WHL ) . Playing career . Boychuk began his major junior career in 2005 – 06 with the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the WHL . 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 , good for WHL East Second All - Star honours . 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 . 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 . 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 . He made his NHL debut against the Los Angeles Kings on October 17 , 2008 becoming the first Hurricanes player since Eric Staal in 2003 to make his NHL debut in his draft year . He was returned to Lethbridge after appearing in two NHL games . Upon being sent down , Boychuk completed his fourth season of WHL hockey by registering 57 points ( 28g , 29a ) in 43 regular - season games and leading the team with 13 points ( 7g , 6a ) in 11 playoff contests . He shared the Harry Ingarfield Memorial Award as Lethbridge ’ s team MVP and won the team ’ s plus / minus award . He was an assistant captain for Team Canada in the 2009 U - 20 World Junior Championship in Ottawa , his second WJC , and helped Canada win the gold medal for the second straight year . He was reassigned by Carolina from Lethbridge ( WHL ) to the Albany River Rats on 4 / 10 / 09 . At the beginning of the 2009 – 10 he attended the Carolina Hurricanes training camp . He made his AHL debut with Albany and recorded one assist for his first career professional point at WBS on April 10 , 2009 . He registered his first NHL goal Saturday February 13 , 2010 against the New Jersey Devils . It was the opening goal of the game and scored against goaltender Martin Brodeur at the 16 : 47 mark of the first period . Assisted by Brandon Sutter , and Brett Carson . On December 29th , 2010 he had his first multi - goal NHL game , with two goals , against the Ottawa Senators . 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 . Boychuk would also compete for Team Canada in the 2008 World Junior Championships and 2009 World Junior Championships , helping Canada to a fourth and fifth straight gold medal in the Czech Republic and Canada .