Johnny Boychuk Retires Due to Eye Injury

Former Boston Bruins player Johnny Boychuk has retired at the age of 36 due to an eye injury suffered during the 2019-20 regular season.

"After numerous and extensive medical exams, New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk's career has come to an end," the New York Islanders stated in a press release. According to the team, the injury this past season was the second Boychuk has suffered to the same eye.

While it's often sad when a player retires, being forced to do so due to injury - rather than on their own accord - is crushing to see as a fan of the game.

The Colorado Avalanche drafted the defenseman with the 61st overall pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in four contests with the team before moving on to the Bruins for the 2008-09 campaign.

During his six seasons in Boston, Boychuk appeared in 317 games, unleashing his famous "Johnny Rocket" countless times en route to 19 goals. The blueliner also notched 56 assists for a total of 75 points, was a plus-88 in terms of plus-minus, and tallied 198 penalty minutes.

Boychuk played a huge role in Boston's 2011 Stanley Cup win, as well as propelling the Bruins to the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. He racked up 13 goals and 14 assists in 79 playoff games in a black and gold sweater.

On Oct. 4, 2014, the Bruins were forced to move the defenseman due to salary cap trouble. He was traded to the New York Islanders for two second-round picks and a conditional third-round pick. As an Islander, Boychuk continued to showcase his shutdown, physical style of play, quickly winning the hearts of his new fans.

In total, Boychuk appeared in 725 NHL contests over the course of 13 years. He tallied 54 goals and 152 assists for 206 points, finishing his career with a plus-minus of plus-123.