Zach Boychuk Returning to Lethbridge!!

RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has returned forward Zach Boychuk to his junior hockey team, the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League. Boychuk, the Hurricanes’ first-round (14th overall) selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, made his NHL debut at Los Angeles on Friday, and played in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Anaheim.

“This has been a good experience for Zach,” said Rutherford. “Despite the fact that he was recovering from hand surgery, his play progressed very well. Another year of junior hockey will be good for his development.”

Boychuk, 19, played 9:21 of ice time and recorded four hits in his NHL debut in Carolina’s 4-3 overtime loss at Los Angeles on Friday. The Airdrie, Alb., native also suited up in the Hurricanes 3-1 win at Anaheim on Sunday and recorded a plus-1 plus/minus rating in 14:45 of ice time. Boychuk (5’10”, 180 lbs.) returns to Lethbridge where he earned 72 points (33g, 39a) in 61 regular-season games in 2007-08, and led the WHL in playoff goals with 13 as the Hurricanes won three postseason series before falling in the WHL finals.

WOW!! This is great news for Lethbridge! I'm sure Canes' fans here in Southern Alberta echo my thoughts. It'll be great to see #11 doning the colours of the Lethbridge Hurricanes again!