New York Islanders defenceman Johnny Boychuk has been forced to retire due to an eye injury suffered during the 2019-20 NHL season.
#Isles News: After numerous and extensive medical exams, New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk’s career has come to an end, due to an eye injury suffered during the 2019-20 regular season.https://t.co/HqUt4e0Se0
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 25, 2020
Johnny Boychuk’s Career Comes to a Close
Boychuk has been an integral piece of the Islanders’ defensive unit for the last six seasons. A second-round draft selection by the Colorado Avalanche, Boychuk did not make the NHL until he turned 24 years old. While some would consider him a bust at that stage in his career, he proved otherwise. He turned into one of the NHL’s best defensive defenders. Stout defence was his strongest skill. He brought a physical dynamic to the blue line that could turn away the most skilled forwards.
After his playing just four games in his first season of NHL action with the Colorado Avalanche, Johnny Boychuk was traded to the Boston Bruins. Although he would not crack the NHL roster for more than one game in his first season with the Bruins, he broke out the following season. Boychuk developed into a top-four defenceman. His skill in the defensive zone helped Boston turn into a competitor year in and year out. He was a member of the Stanley Cup-winning team in the 2010-11 season. Boychuk would play in Boston until 2014 when the Bruins would hit the reset button and start a short rebuild. He was traded to the New York Islanders.
Boychuk spent six seasons in Long Island and played more games with the franchise than any other team in his career with 404 out of 725. In the 2019-20 season, Boychuk was hit in the face with a skate near his eye. The injury was one of the most terrifying the NHL has seen in recent memory. Thankfully, Boychuk was able to make a recovery and retain his vision. Although he has made a recovery, the former Stanley Cup champion has decided the best decision is to hang up the skates and call it a career.
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