Zach Boychuk

**Zach Boychuk** (born Zachary Boychuk on October 4, 1989 in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays in the National League (NHL) for HC Fribourg-Gottéron.

Boychuk was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round (14th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

## Playing Career

### Early Playing Career

Zach 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 his 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; however, Lethbridge was swept by eventual Memorial Cup winners, the Spokane Chiefs.

Heading into the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Zach 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, Zach 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.

### Professional

Zach 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, he 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.

Zach 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.

On April 10, 2009, he was reassigned by Carolina from Lethbridge to the Albany River Rats. At the beginning of the 2009–10, Zach 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.

Zach registered his first NHL goal on February 13, 2010 against the New Jersey Devils against goaltender Martin Brodeur at. On December 29, 2010, he had his first multi-goal NHL game with two goals against the Ottawa Senators.

During the shortened 2012–13 season, on January 31, 2013, he was claimed off waivers from the Hurricanes by the Pittsburgh Penguins. In going scoreless in seven games with the Penguins, he was again placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by the Nashville Predators on March 5, 2013.

On March 21, 2013, Zach was re-claimed by the Hurricanes on waivers. On December 6, 2013, after starting the season in the AHL, he was recalled by the Hurricanes after an injury to veteran defenseman Mike Komisarek.

On July 7, 2015, Zach continued his tenure with the Hurricanes in signing a one-year, two-way contract with the club which would pay him $600,000 in the NHL or $200,000 in the AHL with his salary being guaranteed at $250,000. In the 2015–16 season, he was directly assigned to the AHL with the Checkers.

Zach was unable to assert the impact from previous seasons with the Checkers; after producing 25 points in 56 games he was loaned by the Hurricanes to the Bakersfield Condors, an affiliate to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Andrew Miller on March 7, 2016.

On September 8, 2016, Zach agreed to a professional try-out contract from the Arizona Coyotes to attend their training camp. After that, he agreed to his first contract abroad, playing in the Russian-based KHL, one season for Sibir Novosibirsk followed by a season tenure with Slovakian entrant, HC Slovan Bratislava.

On June 1, 2018, he joined his third KHL club in as many seasons, agreeing to a one-year deal with Russian club, Severstal Cherepovets. In the ensuing 2018–19 season, he struggled to find his place with Severstal, posting just 4 points in 25 games.

On November 19, 2018, he left the KHL and signed for the remainder of the season with Swiss club, SC Bern of the National League.

On December 27, 2019, Zach joined HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the National League (NL) for the remainder of the 2019-20 season as a replacement for injured David Desharnais.

## International Play

Prior to Zach'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. He contributed 4 goals and 2 assists in 7 games as Canada dominated and eventually won the series 7–0–1.

Zach 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.

In late December 2017, he helped Team Canada win the prestigious Spengler Cup in Davos, scoring one goal in the championship game.

## Personal Life

Zach's twin sister Corissa was an international trampolinist who won medals at world championships between 2009 and 2013; she retired after the 2013 World Championship. He also has a younger sister Chelsie, who does competitive gymnastics.