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Canucks Rewind: Brock Boeser’s NHL debut, and his time in Vancouver so far

By Zaahid Lalani

VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 27: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks looks to make a pass during NHL hockey action against the Ottawa Senators at Rogers Arena on January 27, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - JANUARY 27: Brock Boeser #6 of the Vancouver Canucks looks to make a pass during NHL hockey action against the Ottawa Senators at Rogers Arena on January 27, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Boeser’s rookie season

Boeser was explosive right out of the gate, registering five goals, eight assists and 34 shots in the first ten games. This impressive start to the season was capped off with a four-point performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 4th, 2017, where he also potted his first-career hat trick.

Boeser would continue to dominate from that point on, ruthlessly scoring at will with his lethal shot, while simultaneously pushing himself into the Calder conversation night in and night out. He was the favourite to win the Rookie of the Year accolades at the three-quarter mark of the season, but, as many Canucks fans unfortunately recall, the celebrations were cut short.

Boeser suffered a season-ending back injury on March 5th, 2018, breaking the transverse process of his L4 vertebrae after being decked into the open door of the Canucks bench by Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck. He missed the remaining 20 games, ultimately erasing any chance of securing the offseason award.

He finished the 2017-18 campaign with 29 goals, 26 assists and four game-winning goals, with his 55 points landing him fifth in rookie scoring, but he would eventually play runner-up, falling to Mathew Barzal in Calder voting.

In an interview with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre one month after the injury, Boeser discussed the whirlwind 24 hours that occurred after the incident, including his experience at the hospital, his initial stages of rehab and the nagging wrist injury that he also had to deal with.

More importantly, Boeser emphasized how fortunate he truly was afterwards, and how he’s beyond grateful that the injury didn’t put an abrupt end to his professional hockey tenure.

"“It was hard, especially because I love the game so much and I never want to miss any games. But I’ve got to look at the other side of it. I am pretty lucky because that injury could have ended my career, honestly.”"

Boeser was diligent and hard-working with his treatment over the summer, eyeing the October third home-opener as his return to play. He was able to kick-off the 2018-19 season that night, and played the majority of that season in relatively good health. But it seemed that Boeser never made a full recovery that offseason and, based on his offensive input, skating abilities and overall shot mechanics, was still feeling the effects of his previous two injuries.

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