Zach Bogosian
Physical defenseman who won the Stanley Cup in 2020.
Zach Bogosian, born July 15, 1990, is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Minnesota Wild in the NHL. Known as "Bogo," he has also suited up for the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2020. A physical, two-way defenseman who could contribute offensively and defensively, he was considered a top prospect heading into the 2008 NHL entry draft, where Atlanta selected him third overall. His first international appearance came with the U.S. national team at the 2009 IIHF World Championship.
Bogosian started high school at Cushing Academy in Massachusetts in 2004. There, the assistant hockey coach was Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque, and Bogosian’s teammates included his older brother Aaron and Bourque’s son Ryan. He played limited minutes as a fifth or sixth defenseman. After two years, he was picked 19th overall in the 2006 OHL Priority Draft by the Peterborough Petes. Choosing the OHL over the NCAA went against family tradition—his father and uncle played college football—but Bogosian cited watching Ottawa 67’s games at age nine as a key influence.
In his first OHL season (2006–07), he played 67 games, scoring 7 goals and 26 assists for 33 points, second among team rookies and defensemen. He made the OHL Second All-Rookie Team. The next season, he led the Petes with 61 points (11 goals, 50 assists) in 60 games, the only defenseman in the league to lead his team in scoring. His 50 assists ranked second among OHL defensemen. The Petes made the playoffs, and Bogosian added three assists in five games. He played in the OHL All-Star Classic and the CHL Top Prospects Game. He was a finalist for the Red Tilson Trophy and named to the OHL First All-Star Team.
Before the 2008 draft, NHL Central Scouting ranked him the second-best North American skater and third-best OHL prospect. He went third overall, after Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty. His Peterborough coach, Vince Malette, called him a very physical, complete defenseman who was solid defensively and could skate well with the puck. Thrashers GM Don Waddell valued his physicality, scoring ability, and ability to shut down top opponents. Bogosian was known for his training dedication, driving over 90 minutes to Ottawa for better workouts.
- Born
- July 15, 1990
- Nationality
- American
- Position
- Defenseman
- Nhl draft
- 3rd overall, 2008, Atlanta Thrashers
- Stanley cup
- 2020 (Tampa Bay Lightning)
- Nickname
- Bogo
Lore & Background
Bogosian attended Cushing Academy, a prep school in Massachusetts, where the assistant coach of the hockey team was Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Bourque. His teammates included his older brother Aaron and Bourque's son Ryan. After two years at Cushing, he was selected 19th overall in the 2006 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Draft by the Peterborough Petes. He chose the OHL over the NCAA, citing watching Ottawa 67's games at age nine as a major influence. In his first OHL season, he finished with 33 points and was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team. The following season, he led his team in scoring with 61 points, the only defenseman in the league to do so, and was named to the OHL First All-Star Team. Prior to the 2008 draft, NHL Central Scouting ranked him the second best North American skater. He was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Thrashers, behind Steven Stamkos and Drew Doughty. His junior coach described him as a 'very physical defenseman who is a complete player.'
Reader's Guide
Bogosian's career with the Buffalo Sabres began in the 2014–15 season when he was traded from the Winnipeg Jets (the relocated Thrashers) alongside Evander Kane and the rights to Jason Kasdorf in exchange for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Brendan Lemieux, Joel Armia, and a conditional first-round pick. He played for the Sabres until February 2020, when the team placed him on waivers. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to the Rochester Americans but was suspended for failing to report. His contract was terminated on February 21, 2020. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he played his first career NHL playoff game on August 3, 2020, and recorded his first playoff point on August 15. He won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning on September 28, 2020. The following season, he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, registering 4 assists in 45 regular season games and 1 assist in the playoffs. He returned to Tampa Bay on a three-year contract in July 2021. Bogosian's time in Buffalo was marked by the unusual circumstances of his departure, including the waiver process and contract termination.
Did You Know?
- Bogosian was the youngest player to appear for the Atlanta Thrashers at 18 years and 87 days.
- He broke his left leg eight games into his rookie NHL season.
- He set a Thrashers team record with 196 hits in the 2009–10 season.
- Bogosian drove more than 90 minutes to Ottawa to get a better workout before the draft.
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