Scout
04-30-2008, 03:23 PM
The Player's Perspective
The Lethbridge Hurricanes have booked their place in the WHL Championship series for the first time since winning it all in 1997.
While the ‘Canes’ have received outstanding contributions throughout their lineup – from goaltender Juha Metsola out – they would not be where they are without the efforts of their top star Zach Boychuk.
The 18-year-old from Airdrie, AB, has been an offensive leader for the Hurricanes throughout his three-year WHL career, and has continued his high-scoring ways through the team’s impressive 2008 playoff run, tallying a WHL-leading 11 goals and adding nine assists for 20 points through the ‘Canes’ first three series victories over the Brandon Wheat Kings, Kootenay Ice and Calgary Hitmen.
Boychuk, who has put up 82 goals and 214 points in 194 WHL regular season games since joining the Hurricanes in 2005-06, has also been a solid defensive player through the post-season, posting a negative +/- on only two occasions during the playoffs.
The 5’ 9”, 175-lb center, who helped Team Canada win a World Junior Gold medal in December and January, is eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and has been ranked eighth among all domestic draft-eligible skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings.
With his strong performance through the 2008 WHL playoffs, there is no doubt Boychuk’s stock will continue to rise in the eyes of many in NHL circles.
Zack Boychuk’s Perspective
On the Hurricanes playoff success…
“I think we’ve definitely been improving in all areas as we’ve been going along. Everybody has been stepping up. It seems like the hardest series was the first one, and is has gotten easier for us as we go. I think it’s because our team has been getting better and better. It’s nice to see everyone contributing, because that’s what you need to get as far as an Eastern Conference Championship.”
On the ‘Canes’ depth…
“When you’re part of the top line, you are expected to contribute almost every night. But, it’s such a good league, and so intense at his time of year that you can’t possibly score every single night. You need to look to guys like Carter Bancks, Craig Orfino, Austin Fyten and others to step up and contribute. Bancks has had a great run lately, scored some big goals for us in the series against Calgary, and often does a lot of little things that some of the skilled guys tend not to do. You get guys like Fyten, who is a 16-year-old who just came in at the playoffs. He didn’t play with us all year, and he stepped in and has played great. Orfino has scored four goals already. It’s good to see guys like that picking up their game and contributing to the team.”
On Juha Metsola…
“I definitely think he’s surprised a few people. He’s not a big guy, but he’s very quick. It took him a long time to get used to living here, and playing a North American style of game, but he played really well this season. His numbers were among the best in the League during the regular season. We have definitely needed him during this playoff run, and he stepped up…he was our MVP in the Conference Championship series, and he’s done everything we’ve needed him to do.”
On the Western Conference opponent they’ll face in the Championship series…
“We know both (the Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans) have a lot of fire power up front. But, the big thing has been the goaltending for both teams. They’ve had some great goaltending battles so far, with a couple games going 1-0 in double overtime, so we know we’ll be in tough with either team. We’re going to have to step up our game a couple of notches. If it’s Tri-City, it’ll be neat to play against Colton Yellow Horn, who was such a great player for Lethbridge when he was here. And with Spokane, they have a lot of great players I’ve played with and against throughout the years.”
Jesse Watts
whl.ca
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© Canadian Hockey League 2008
The Lethbridge Hurricanes have booked their place in the WHL Championship series for the first time since winning it all in 1997.
While the ‘Canes’ have received outstanding contributions throughout their lineup – from goaltender Juha Metsola out – they would not be where they are without the efforts of their top star Zach Boychuk.
The 18-year-old from Airdrie, AB, has been an offensive leader for the Hurricanes throughout his three-year WHL career, and has continued his high-scoring ways through the team’s impressive 2008 playoff run, tallying a WHL-leading 11 goals and adding nine assists for 20 points through the ‘Canes’ first three series victories over the Brandon Wheat Kings, Kootenay Ice and Calgary Hitmen.
Boychuk, who has put up 82 goals and 214 points in 194 WHL regular season games since joining the Hurricanes in 2005-06, has also been a solid defensive player through the post-season, posting a negative +/- on only two occasions during the playoffs.
The 5’ 9”, 175-lb center, who helped Team Canada win a World Junior Gold medal in December and January, is eligible for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and has been ranked eighth among all domestic draft-eligible skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their final rankings.
With his strong performance through the 2008 WHL playoffs, there is no doubt Boychuk’s stock will continue to rise in the eyes of many in NHL circles.
Zack Boychuk’s Perspective
On the Hurricanes playoff success…
“I think we’ve definitely been improving in all areas as we’ve been going along. Everybody has been stepping up. It seems like the hardest series was the first one, and is has gotten easier for us as we go. I think it’s because our team has been getting better and better. It’s nice to see everyone contributing, because that’s what you need to get as far as an Eastern Conference Championship.”
On the ‘Canes’ depth…
“When you’re part of the top line, you are expected to contribute almost every night. But, it’s such a good league, and so intense at his time of year that you can’t possibly score every single night. You need to look to guys like Carter Bancks, Craig Orfino, Austin Fyten and others to step up and contribute. Bancks has had a great run lately, scored some big goals for us in the series against Calgary, and often does a lot of little things that some of the skilled guys tend not to do. You get guys like Fyten, who is a 16-year-old who just came in at the playoffs. He didn’t play with us all year, and he stepped in and has played great. Orfino has scored four goals already. It’s good to see guys like that picking up their game and contributing to the team.”
On Juha Metsola…
“I definitely think he’s surprised a few people. He’s not a big guy, but he’s very quick. It took him a long time to get used to living here, and playing a North American style of game, but he played really well this season. His numbers were among the best in the League during the regular season. We have definitely needed him during this playoff run, and he stepped up…he was our MVP in the Conference Championship series, and he’s done everything we’ve needed him to do.”
On the Western Conference opponent they’ll face in the Championship series…
“We know both (the Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans) have a lot of fire power up front. But, the big thing has been the goaltending for both teams. They’ve had some great goaltending battles so far, with a couple games going 1-0 in double overtime, so we know we’ll be in tough with either team. We’re going to have to step up our game a couple of notches. If it’s Tri-City, it’ll be neat to play against Colton Yellow Horn, who was such a great player for Lethbridge when he was here. And with Spokane, they have a lot of great players I’ve played with and against throughout the years.”
Jesse Watts
whl.ca
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© Canadian Hockey League 2008