Islanders: Johnny Boychuk’s Best Moments

After six years with the Islanders, and a 13-year career in the NHL, Johnny Boychuk was forced to call it a career due to injury.

When a player has to decide to hang up the skates it’s a difficult thing, when it’s not on their own terms it’s even harder. Johnny Boychuk’s career came to a close today when the Islanders announced that he suffered an eye injury that wouldn’t allow him to play anymore.

Boychuk was choked up talking to the media today, discussing his six years with the team. When you think back on his tenure, he truly did change a ton for the Isles.

Both he and Nick Leddy were acquired just hours apart and they helped kick off an era of four playoff births over a six-year span. Let’s take a look back at some of his best moments:

Johnny Boychuk scores from the neutral zone

Johnny Boychuk had a ridiculous one-timer and it was put on full display right here. The man ripped one home from beyond the blue line for goodness sake! I’ve watched this goal a million times but it’s still stunning to see just how fast that puck exploded off his stick.

The Block

During the 2015 playoffs, Johnny Boychuk made this incredible play during Game 3 of the Washington series. Time was winding down before the end of the period and with the puck on our generation’s best goal scorer’s stick, Boychuk came up huge.

I thought the Coliseum roof was going to come tumbling down. That’s how J.B. played, 100 percent effort at all times putting his body on the line to make a play.

Boychuk fights Justin Abdelkader

Boychuk didn’t drop the gloves often but when he did, my goodness lookout. This fight he had with Justin Abdelkader in 2018 is a good example of the toughness that he would display out on the ice regularly.

The Point

During a 5-1 game against the Flyers in 2019, Boychuk took a dirty hit from Jakub Voracek and when he was being helped off the ice he pointed right at Voracek and was barking at him as he skated off. Legendary stuff from Boychuk.

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It’s sad to see him go, as there were a ton of great memories of him in blue and orange. Thanks for everything Johnny! You will be remembered fondly on Long Island.