Boychuk headed overseas (Photo Credit: Steph Phillips)
61 days into the NHL lockout another Boston Bruin decides it is time to play hockey again. On Thursday afternoon CSNNE’s Joe Haggerty tweeted that B’s blue-liner Johnny Boychuk was headed to Austria to play. Johnny will be playing for EC Red Bull Salzburg, a team that currently sits 9th out of 12.
Boychuk is the first of his teammates to sign with Austria, but joins current division rivals Tyler Myers and Thomas Vanek of the Sabres whom have been playing for the country since the fall.
The defenseman is coming off of a career-year, finishing eighth overall in plus-minus with an impressive plus-27. He is most commonly heard of for his ‘Johnny Rocket’ from sports commentator Jack Edwards, registering 5 goals and 10 assists last season. The defenseman is a vital piece of the Bruins organization and will no doubt make himself known in Austria.
Current members of the Bruins organization aren’t missing a beat when it comes to scoring and making themselves at home as forwards Tyler Seguin, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are all currently averaging more than a point per game. Seguin netting the game-winning overtime goal tonight against defending Champions. Tuukka Rask is also dominating between the pipes for HC Plzen, despite the rumors of re-injuring his groin.
As the lockout continues we can only expect a few more of posts like this one with practices in Boston getting smaller and smaller as more and more players ship overseas. The NHL is reportedly resuming negotiation talks on Monday, with any luck they will be able to find some common ground and make some headway to try and salvage this season.
A Cup A Bruin 