Johnny Boychuk

John Boychuk
Born	John Paul Boychuk (1984-01-19) January 19, 1984 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Occupation(s)	Professional ice hockey defenceman (retired), player development
Years active	2004–2020
Known for	NHL player for Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders; 2011 Stanley Cup champion

John Paul Boychuk (born January 19, 1984) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. Selected 61st overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche, he competed in the NHL for Colorado, Boston, and New York. Boychuk was a member of the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup championship roster and concluded his career following six seasons with the Islanders.

Playing career

Boychuk entered the professional ranks after being drafted by Colorado in 2002, having previously played with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. He began his pro career with the Hershey Bears during the 2004–05 AHL season and spent four seasons mostly with Avalanche-affiliated AHL teams. His NHL debut occurred in the 2007–08 campaign, where he notably took to the ice as a forward rather than his customary defensive role.

On June 24, 2008, Boychuk was traded to Boston in exchange for Matt Hendricks. He started with Boston’s AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, and earned "AHL Player of the Week" honors early in the 2008–09 season. After being recalled to Boston in December, he returned to Providence to finish an impressive season, leading all defencemen with 20 goals and 45 assists. His performance earned him the Eddie Shore Award and a place on the AHL First All-Star Team.

Boychuk secured his initial one-way contract with Boston on July 1, 2009, for the 2009–10 season. Though initially a healthy scratch, he established himself as a reliable two-way defenceman, which led to a two-year contract extension in June 2010. He played a key role in Boston’s Stanley Cup triumph in 2011 and later signed a three-year extension in February 2012. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Boychuk briefly joined EC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria before returning for the shortened NHL season.

Due to salary cap constraints, Boychuk was traded to the New York Islanders on October 4, 2014, in exchange for several draft picks that were later used on prospects Brandon Carlo and Ryan Lindgren. He made an immediate impact with New York by recording a goal and two assists in his first game. In March 2015, Boychuk agreed to a seven-year contract extension worth $42 million, securing his place through the 2021–22 season.

Boychuk announced his retirement on November 25, 2020, following an eye injury sustained earlier that year in March. On November 4, 2021, the Buffalo Sabres acquired his remaining contract from the Islanders as part of a salary cap strategy.

Post-playing career

Soon after concluding his playing days, Boychuk transitioned into a player development position with the New York Islanders organization.

Personal life

In 2011, John married Sheena Burletoff. The couple has three children: twin daughters and a son. His nephew by marriage is John Quenneville, who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2014.

Regular season and playoffs

... [Table continues with similar compression for remaining seasons]

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1999–2000	MLAC AAA	AMHL		35	6	17	23	59		—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	Calgary Hitmen	WHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Calgary Hitmen	WHL		66	4	8	12	61		12	1	1	2	17
2001–02	Calgary Hitmen	WHL		70	8	32	40	85		7	1	1	2	6
2002–03	Calgary Hitmen	WHL		40	8	18	26	58		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Moose Jaw Warriors	WHL		27	5	17	22	32		13	2	6	8	29
NHL totals				725	54	152	206	331		104	13	17	30	40

International

Year	Team	Tournament	Placement		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002	Canada	WJC18	6th place		5	1	0	1	8
Junior career totals					5	1	0	1	8

Awards and honours

Award	Year
AHL
First All-Star Team selection	2009
Eddie Shore Award	2009
NHL
Stanley Cup	2011