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Big block early on the kill, and just playing hard. That's what we expect from him and that's what he did.". He's fearless.". The genuine grin that radiated from Boychuk when the camera panned to him on the bench following his whirlwind of a first period back captured his adoring personality. "It's just guys putting their body on the line to win the game," Boychuk said.
“He’s really a little bit of a leader and a father figure for a lot of the young guys,” Trotz added. After he had not suited up since game one of the qualifying round against the Florida Panthers, where he suffered a concussion after taking a high hit from Florida’s Mike Matheson, Boychuk finally got the call from head coach Barry Trotz to go back into the lineup. He gives you everything that he has night-in and night-out. That's where Johnny is really good. Seeing how Boychuk performed in Game five also shouldn’t come as something new to many. Video: NYI 2 vs TBL 1 (OT): Boychuk & Varlamov. He brings a different energy to the room because he's been there, done that. We knew when he was getting his opportunity, he was going to step in and do his job. He and his teammates staved off elimination from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final with their 2-1 double-overtime victory in Game 5. [11], He was a member of the Bruins when they defeated the Vancouver Canucks to win the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.[12]. The block too, not only stopped a scoring chance, but Boychuk took the wicked slapper off the chest and immediately hunched over in pain. [18] The couple have twin daughters. Copyright © 1999-2018 New York Islanders Hockey Club, L.P. and the National Hockey League. But more than just that, it was Boychuk’s leadership which spoke more volumes than anything. He's been an Islander for a long time. “He goes out there, he blocks shots, he plays tough. Despite not seeing the ice much — just 12:04 to be exact — Boychuk’s leadership still reined throughout the game and it most certainly had an impact. "He's old school, he's one of the most likeable guys that you're ever going to meet, one of the most committed guys. He’s got welts all over his body. Boychuk was born in Canada. On March 12, 2015, he signed a seven-year, $42 million contract extension with the Islanders, lasting through the 2021–22 season.[17][18]. In 2011, he was a part of the Bruins' Stanley Cup Championship team. The Isles inserted defenseman Johnny Boychuk back into the lineup for the first time since Game 1 of the Qualifying Round against Florida. A lot of people were waiting for Johnny Boychuk to make his return for the New York Islanders.It finally came last night. There was no hastiness in Trotz's decision to elect Boychuk to suit up for his first game since Aug. 1. We were hoping that he'd do that tonight and he did.". Big block early in the kill and just playing hard. The following season, Boychuk was rewarded with a three-year contract extension to remain a fixture on the Stanley Cup-winning Bruins blueline.