DollarAndADream

In-Depth Interview With Centerman Travis Boychuk
 
We are currently 37 games into the season in the VHLM, and it has been a very interesting season at that. One team has received a ton of attention since the draft because of the number of picks they had for it. That team is the Turku Outlaws. The Outlaws had a good amount of additions in the draft, and everyone knew heading into the season that Turku would be one of the main clubs to watch.
 
One player in general has received great deal of focus this season, as many scouts had looked into him after his year in Ottawa with the Lynx. He was acquired in the Dispersal Draft at 8th overall by the VHL's Calgary Wranglers, and with that came a lot of pressure. That player is Travis Boychuk, the 1st line center for Turku. As soon as he dawned the green jersey, he made a quick impression to his teammates. 
 
At the 37 game mark, he currently leads the team's forwards in points with 44 respectively. 19 of those points are goals. Interestingly enough, he sits 4th in points for the Outlaws, who's first 3 leaders are defencemen. This far into the season, we approached Boychuk on his thoughts towards his team and his personal progress in the season. He managed to find some time to answer some questions:
 

 
Interviewer: First thing's first, I would like to ask you how you feel about the team's progress?
 
Travis Boychuk: I think we are doing great. We had a bit of a rough patch a week ago but we have picked things up as of late. I believe we are what? 8-1-1 in our last 10? Yeah, I think that's it. I've never seen such offensively minded defenders on any team I have been on. Vojczek Svoboda is truly a superstar, especially. The league is very competitive this year. 
 
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Interviewer: We have noticed since we interviewed you last, that you have gotten better at face offs. How much have you worked on that?
 
Travis Boychuk: I have worked on it every day. Last year with the Lynx, my coach and I did not feel I was performing up to par in the face off circle. I have focused on that plenty since the off-season and I feel a lot more comfortable in the position. It has definitely been exhausting working on it all the time. Hard work pays off though.
 
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Interviewer: How do you feel with all the success your team is having compared to last year in Ottawa? 
 
Travis Boychuk: In Ottawa, it was a process. As much as I wanted the team to do well, it was a great experience to have and it gave me time to work on my game. I had nothing but good times on the Lynx, and I loved my teammates. Here in Turku, it is obviously a different atmosphere. People expect a lot more out of you and there is more media attention. I do not mind it at all. I am glad to be on a competitor like the Outlaws and I believe we can achieve great heights. I have not forgotten about my Lynx team though, as I still keep in contact with Konstantin Azhishchenkov!
 
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Interviewer: Not everyone knew what to expect out of you on a team with so much depth, and being on the top line. Last year, you played in the shadow of Konstantin Azhishchenkov. What is it like in Turku?
 
Travis Boychuk: Yeah, on the Outlaws it was a different story than it is here. I was playing my first year in the minors over there and nobody expected much besides myself. I was just trying to make a name for myself. Here on my current team, I am on the top line. People expect me to make a nice pass or to score on my own. The fans are cheering when I carry the puck, and it is very nice to hear. Obviously, I technically still do play in the shadow of Svoboda. He can be a forward if he wanted to. I try my best here to live up to the expectations. It has been a fun ride so far.
 
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Interviewer: Any final words to say to the readers?
 
Travis Boychuk: Keep watching the Turku Outlaws. We have a magical team this year and we love to hear what the fans think. I will keep trying my very best to perform day in and out. There is still another half of a season left, and plenty of hockey to watch.
 
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There you have it. That concludes our insider interview with star centerman Travis Boychuk of the Turku Outlaws. We can only look ahead to the rest of the season in Turku, and the excitement he may one day bring to Calgary in the VHL.

Another couple wins tonight.

6 points in the 3 games tonight for me. Awesome.
 
Lol Svoboda 4 goal game.

In honour of your overlord's (that's me) birthday, everyone who likes this post gets 1 TPE.
#teepz #lovevictator #tpeinflation
 
Edit: for anyone still here, check the date. This is a decade old and is no longer valid, please don’t try.

OUTLAWS!!
 
 
My linemate is having a great season. Here's to more points between us both! 

I only wrote TB because I thought it might sound cool as a nickname. I wasn't taking any shortcuts. 
 
I also would have written 500+ words if I knew I would get deducted points. I can easily whip out more sentences. I just thought oh, 450 is the requirement....so I should be fine. 
 
Damnit...I knew it wasn't a Distribution Draft. LOL.

Nice, I had 3G4A for 7PTS in the 4 games tonight. Starting to heat up for me it looks like.

Travis Boychuk Drafted to the Turku Outlaws
 
The VHLM Dispersal Draft was underway today and Travis Boychuk found his team for the year. He was drafted 6th overall to the Turku Outlaws, along with plenty others. The team looks to be heading fast into contention on paper, but we will wait to see what happens once the season begins. With many top players heading to Turku, it will be difficult to find ice time. Turku had 3 picks in the 1st Round and 6 in the 2nd Round, so it is needless to say that there is a ton of talent heading there. Boychuk will play the year in Turku before heading up to Calgary in the VHL.
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It should be challenging for the coach to find the right line combinations heading forward, with all of the skill in the line up. Many think that Boychuk should be a shoe in for 1st line duties, but nothing is certain. He has improved a ton this off-season with a lot of training involved. It will be interesting to see what he can accomplish without being in the shadow of a more developed, bigger superstar. We caught up with TB for an interview on the topic:
 
" I am extremely pleased to come to Turku for next season. It might take a little bit to find which players I play better with, but I am sure with all the talent here we can succeed with plenty of combinations. I have worked hard all off-season to become a better player on the ice, and I really think it will pay off. All of these new players coming to the Outlaws, we need to get familiar with each other quickly. I have already been to training camp with the VHL Calgary club, and came straight to Turku as soon as I got signed to be with this training camp. I am very excited to start the season. "

Lots of fun with KJA!

Konstantin Jaroslav Azhishchenkov arrived in Stockholm, Sweden a week before the annual VHL Draft. According to his parents, KJA was quite nervous.
 
“Stepping off the plane,” said KJA’s mother, “Jaroslav almost tripped on his own feet multiple times, and was constantly going through ‘what-if’s.’ We know he is shy, but this was downright nervousness.”


 
The entire Azhishchenkov family made the 4390 mile flight from Port Huron, Michigan to Stockholm, Sweden, and decided to make the occasion a family vacation.
 
“We tried enjoying and exploring Stockholm,” said KJA’s sister, “But Jaroslav was so busy reading the news on his phone, trying to learn if there was any new developments. At some point we gave up on him, and left him at the hotel that the VHL provided the S37 draftees.”
 
At the hotel, reporters interviewed KJA on his thoughts about the draft.
 
“I am really excited to be here in Stockholm, and I am super jittery about the upcoming draft.”
 
KJA spent the day with Ottawa Lynx teammate Travis Boychuk at the hotel playing video games on Boychuk’s new PS4 in the lobby. Many spectators and hotel guests were treated into seeing two young men laughing and cursing in Russian in the lobby as they played on the hotel’s projector.
 
“I had a lot of fun with Boychuk,” said an exhausted KJA. “I never knew playing video games with him would be such a work out, but it was definitely a lot of fun.”


 
The next day on the eve of the draft, all the draftees who were going to attend the draft, jumped on the buses headed to Hovet, Sweden to enter the AIK’s ice hockey stadium, the Ericsson Globe, from which the VHLM draft was being held.
 
“The [Ericsson] Globe was definitely interesting,” said KJA, “but it only has about 13,800 seats in comparison to Madison Square Garden, which has about 18,200 seats.”
 
After practicing and going through procedures so that everyone knew what they were doing, the next step was to conduct interviews with eager journalists and wait. KJA decided to not spend anytime interviewing with the journalists, but instead decided to spend the day with his family and near the end of it, play some poker with some other draftees.
 
On draft day, everyone was nervous. The breakfast area was oddly quiet. Everyone got dressed in their suits and ties and got ready for the event that would change their lives forever. KJA, donning a white suit with white shoes, was ready for the draft.
 
“I have waited and worked a long time to get here,” said KJA, “and now I am ready for wherever I may go next.”
 
Upon arriving at the Ericsson Globe, all the draftees got registered and seated with their families. Only an hour after the draftees sat down, the draft began.
 
Many were listening to Kendrick’s “Blades of Steel,” to hear what the experts thought about the draft, and the news about the draft.
 
The first name that was called was no surprise for anyone as defenseman Slaeter Fjorsstrom was tied with Tom Slaughter as the consensus number 1 pick. The following pick was eye-catching as instead of going 2nd overall, the New York Americans decided to pick Jakob Linholm. This is something that the analysts did not expect as they thought Tom Slaughter would be number 2. This proved to be inconsequential because the New York Americans owned the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th pick in the draft. The New York Americans then followed their Linholm pick with the picking of Tom Slaughter and Logan Laich.
 

 
At this point, KJA was a little uncertain of his spot in the draft as he was once considered a top 3 pick and now was a mid to late 1st round pick. However, the Riga Reign, who actually traded up to hopefully draft KJA or another great player, answered KJA’s dreams and had GM Mike call KJA up to the stage to don his Riga Reign jersey.
 
KJA could not hold back tears of joy when he heard his name being called by GM Mike of the Riga Reign. It took him several moments before he got up from his seat and went on the stage to accept the jersey and to take pictures.
 
“I cannot describe this feeling of pure joy to be drafted,” said KJA,”I have made it passed one hurdle of my journey to the VHL.”
 
KJA is expected to spend the majority of the next season in the VHLM.

The season has come and gone, and the off season is underway. After amazing efforts by many players in the VHLM, the S37 VHL Entry Draft was an exciting time for all.
 
The top picks were all but settled before the draft, but the big questions came in the latter half of the 1st round. Team needs had to be addressed for the VHL clubs and the stars were predictably selected with the first picks. It seemed like the biggest questions came after the first three selections. 
 
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With all of the mock drafts in mind, Travis Boychuk had no idea where he would be selected. Many teams had taken interest and contacted him. 
 
" With all of the teams who have called me about my feelings towards them, it was difficult to figure out where I would end up. I could not get my hopes up about any location. All I could do was wait and get excited about being selected in general. It has been an exciting week for me leading up to the draft. "
 
Travis Boychuk was selected 8th overall to the Calgary Wranglers in the North American Conference of the VHL. His teammates from the Ottawa Lynx were selected also. Konstantin Azhishchenkov was selected at number 5 to the Riga Reign and Jack Ryan was selected at 15th overall to the Calgary Wranglers also. Boychuk and Ryan may one day be teammates in the VHL. 
  The wait during the draft is the most nerve-racking for a lot of prospects. You never know where you might land during the draft, with every GM having their own opinion of each player. Various times we have seen players fall or rise in the draft. We have asked Travis Boychuk about his thoughts on the experience of the draft.    ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------   " It was an amazing experience for me. I was expecting to maybe go around 10th or later, but I was not sure. Hearing each name being called before me was something else. I was sitting there ready to wait and my name was called at 8th. Obviously, I was at the draft for that exact reason but when the time comes reality hits you. This is the moment I have been waiting my whole life for. It is why I go to the rink every day and why I work so hard. The Calgary Wranglers are a good team and I feel like in a couple years when I get there I can make a difference. I am excited to play for whichever team picks me for another year in the minors. I want to push for that Cup. "   With the excitement of the VHL Draft in the past, the VHLM Dispersal Draft is up next. Travis Boychuk will be playing in the minors next season, and it will be a great time for any VHLM team to snag a player who wants a cup there. Without a doubt, Boychuk will bring talent and scoring prowess to any club and depth for whoever needs it. Boychuk had a great season in his 1st in the M and has only gotten better since then. It is easy to assume that he will produce a lot more next season. 

I wanted to be with KJA again.

if u are around when i pick, 90% chance I'm gonna pick you fellow Ottawa Alumni

I'm not in the top 10 in the mock draft in the magazine. Went 8th overall. Woo!

As a first-gen who's eligible this draft I agree that I was also wondering when the drafts would be because it's kind of First-gen limbo for us right now. I just didn't really voice anything because I didn't want to come across as a "Whining newbie"

Now that we have some dates set it's making the experience more exciting knowing I'll soon know which team I will start on.

For some reason I assumed this one-two punch you guys had would be very effective, and I wasn't wrong! I'm sure you have plenty of teams keeping an eye on you this draft.

Looking forward to seeing how u do! Hope its well! Go LYNX!

Content: 3/3 - You've made a great name for yourself so far, keep up the good work and you'll hear your name called on draft day before you know it! Playmakers will always have a home in the VHL.   Grammar: 2/2 -   the playoffs beginning the the VHLM = the playoffs beginning in the VHLM face off circle = face-off circle not used to in junior = not used to in the juniors (?)   Appearance: 1/1 - Excellent presentation with the pictures and colors as an added emphasis.   Overall: 6/6 - (Y)

Into the Future of Boychuk
 
With the season over and the playoffs beginning the the VHLM, the players of the Ottawa Lynx are done for the year. Bags have been packed, flights have been taken, and there is nothing left to do but look ahead towards the draft. The Ottawa Lynx had a disappointing season to say the least, but there is much to take from the season. It has been quite the learning experience for players and the organization, and everyone will come out stronger from it. 
 
One player that many were taking long looks at had a great rookie VHLM season, albeit on a lackluster squad that could not seem to get the wins together. Travis Boychuk was not a superstar by any means, but he was a reliable forward for his team to put on the ice. It remains to be seen what his future holds but it will be an exciting one for sure. If anything can be taken from last season, it will be experience. Experience is a valuable asset to any team and looking ahead it will do nothing but good things for the mind of a player.
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Travis Boychuk started late in the season playing 56 games, which is a good amount in any regard. In those games, he was mainly a play maker for the team especially for his line mate Konstantin Azhishchenkov. Boychuk had 30 assists in 56 games, many of which were on goals scored by the star in "KJA". We have seen what kind of vision TB has in his skill set and know it will only get better as time goes on. 
 
Not only assists, but he managed to score 14 goals for a total of 44 points in 56 games on the club. For a team as inconsistent as the Lynx were, those are great numbers for a rookie especially. The goals were harder to come by in early parts of the year, but he got better in the latter half. Travis Boychuk has a wicked shot which could find the net more often if used. Many scouts believe if he lessened his tendency to pass the puck so much, he could have more goals and scoring opportunities. 
 
He was also pretty good on the face off circle, and he looks to get better than the 49.02% that he boasted in the season. As a centerman face offs are a valuable skill for the position. Much of his year was spent away from center where he is most comfortable. He played along KJA's wing in strides. We will see where he ends up on his next club in the upcoming draft.
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Something he was not used to in junior was the physicality of the game. When he arrived in the VHLM he noticed a big change in scenery. Bodies were bigger and the players were stronger. Boychuk learned from that and managed 102 hits, which was uncommon for him in the past. 
 
In a recent interview with Travis Boychuk, we grabbed his thoughts on what's to come:
 
"I think I had a pretty good season. It was not up to par with what I am used to, though. I want to be able to score more. I want my team to be more consistent. I hate losing. I hope with the upcoming draft I find a team that can utilize my skills correctly. No matter where I end up, I will do my best to perform up to standards."
 
We look forward to hearing more from Travis Boychuk and watching his career unfold. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7fjDS0jKiE

Travis Boychuk Exclusive Interview
 
Travis Boychuk has settled in with the Ottawa Lynx of the VHLM for quite some time now. He is currently 27 games into his career in the minors and sitting on a good pace of performance. We have caught up with the man to discuss some in-depth questions.
 
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Interviewer: Travis Boychuk, being 27 games into the season, how do you feel as a member of this hockey club?
 
Travis Boychuk: Well, it's quite different than what I had back in Europe but it's come together nicely. It had taken me a little bit to get into the rhythm here in the VHLM but I feel very much at home now. My teammates have been nothing but welcoming to me since I've landed here.
 
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Interviewer: How do you feel about your teams chances at the playoffs?
 
Travis Boychuk: I'm not going to comment on the playoffs just yet. There's a long road to get to where we want to be collectively as a team. We're barely on the fringe of the playoffs as it is right now. At the moment, we are just looking to get better with reading each other.
 
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Interviewer: Have you had much chance to talk to your family since you've been here?
 
Travis Boychuk: They've actually been to a couple of games. My parents and brother flew out here to catch a couple. They enjoyed their time at the games.
 
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Interviewer: You had a lot of success back home with your scoring. Have you worked on it since coming to the VHLM or do you have a specific role on the team?
 
Travis Boychuk: My main focus on this team is making plays. I try my best to find my teammates on the ice and use my skill set to pass to them when I see an opening. On my old team there weren't so many capable goal scorers, and here I can't say enough about the ones who were here when I arrived. It's much easier to pass when you have a guy like KJA on your team.
 
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Interviewer: What comments do you have towards your leg speed? Many scouts have stated that you may have slowed down since coming to the VHLM.
 
Travis Boychuk: It's a much different game here in the VHLM. All I can say is that I've been working on it. I work hard every day and practice as much as possible to better myself as a player. It's a different rink here also, not the amount of room that I'm used to for making a burst of speed. 
 
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Interviewer: Have you and your teammates had the chance to get to know each other outside of the rink?
 
Travis Boychuk: On our last road trip a couple of the boys and I went out for dinner. We drew out of a hat and I ended up paying the bill. It was pretty hefty. [laughs]
 
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Interviewer: Your team has had ups and downs throughout this season. Why has it been so hard to find consistency?
 
Travis Boychuk: There's a lot of new guys on this team here in Ottawa. We are all just trying to find our place and what role to perform. After last year, many of the team was drafted to the VHL so here in Ottawa we basically just have a lot of learning to do. We are trying to find some chemistry here and see who plays better with who. It's a process that I'm sure we will figure out soon. All I want is playing time, and I'm definitely finding it here.
 
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Interviewer: You have 24 points in 27 games, while sitting at a -2 on +/-. How does that compare to what you expected in your first part of the season?
 
Travis Boychuk: In all honesty, I was just looking to try and stay in the lineup. It is a nice plus that I'm performing how I want to. Obviously, most guys will want more points and that's how I feel also. More is always better. I can always better myself and I have been working hard at doing that in all areas.
 
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Well, that does it for our interview with Travis Boychuk. We are glad to have found some time from him to get this done as people have been asking. We look forward to watching Travis and the Ottawa Lynx play out the rest of the season. Good luck to them!