Darryl Boyce

Playing career

Darryl Boyce's path to professional hockey began in his hometown of Summerside, where he played above his age group. In 1999–2000, still an underage player, he helped the Summerside Turk's Red Wings capture an Island Junior Hockey League championship. That same season, he led the Summerside Kinsmen Midget AAA team to an Island Championship with strong two-way play and clear leadership, and also suited up for Team Atlantic at the World U17 tournament in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. He then spent the 2000–01 season with the Parry Sound Shamrocks of the OPJHL before moving up to major junior hockey with the St. Michael's Majors of the Ontario Hockey League. Over four seasons with the Majors, from 2001–02 through 2004–05, Boyce appeared in 262 regular-season games, notching 145 points, and added 22 points in 51 playoff contests. Going undrafted, Boyce chose to play for the University of New Brunswick's Varsity Reds. In his first year, 2005–06, he posted 32 points in 28 games and was named UNB's male rookie of the year. Across two seasons with the V-Reds, he helped the team win a University Cup, the CIS national championship. Turning pro in 2007–08, Boyce initially signed with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. After putting up 22 points in 32 games, the parent Toronto Maple Leafs signed him to a two-year entry-level contract on January 1, 2008. He made his NHL debut on January 24 against the Washington Capitals, but a separated shoulder on his fifth shift ended his night after just 3 minutes and 20 seconds; surgery sidelined him for the rest of the season. Boyce did not play his second NHL game until December 30, 2010, when he recorded his first NHL point, an assist, against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Two days later, on January 1, 2011, he scored his first NHL goal in Ottawa, beating Senators goaltender Mike Brodeur. He signed a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs on July 14, 2011, but on February 25, 2012, the Columbus Blue Jackets claimed him off waivers. He finished the 2011–12 season playing in the final 20 regular-season games for Columbus.