The Checkers' all-time goals leader is returning to the organization, as the Hurricanes have signed forward Zach Boychuk to a one-year, two-way contract.
Boychuk has established himself as an elite scorer in Charlotte, becoming the highest goal scorer in the team's history last season. He currently sits at 250 points as a Checker, just four shy of matching Chris Terry's franchise record, and 281 games as a Checker, 18 shy of the franchise mark, also held by Terry.
The 25-year-old earned the Willie Marshall Award in 2013-14 as the AHL's leading goal scorer and ranked second overall in scoring. In 2014-15, Boychuk spent much of the first half of the season in Carolina, matching his career-high with 31 NHL games played, before being assigned to Charlotte. Despite appearing in just 39 games for the Checkers, he finished the season tied for fifth on the team in goals and ranked eighth in scoring.
After spending significant time in Carolina last season, Boychuk could be poised to get another look at the NHL level this year, but with the nature of a two-way deal, it is possible that we could see more of him in Charlotte. Should he return to Charlotte, he gives the Checkers a top scoring threat, something they desperately needed last season, and could be aided by the infusion of the veteran scorers like T.J Hensick and Derek Ryan that the Hurricanes have added so far during the offseason.
