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A tough break for a beloved former Bruin today: Johnny Boychuk has decided to hang ‘em up at the age of 36.
#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
Boychuk was injured back in early March, just a few days before hockey shut down due to COVID-19.
He took a skate to the face against the Montreal Canadiens, and reported at the time that there was some nerve damage around the eye.
It appears that the damage won’t heal enough to allow him to keep playing, unfortunately.
Funnily enough, Boychuk was an Islander as long as he was a Bruin, but his Bruins tenure still seems like it was just yesterday.
Boychuk played in 317 regular season games for the Bruins, recording 19 goals and 56 assists. He also played in 79 playoff games, where he recorded 13 goals and 14 assists.
Boychuk was one of the more likable Bruins throughout his tenure, known for his powerful slapshot and willingness to throw big hits, among other things.
His goal in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against Chicago remains a favorite of mine, both because of the shot and the spinning celebration:
The one that kicks off this compilation was great too, a true Johnny Rocket:
Happy trails to a great Bruin!