Since the beginning of his career, Brock Boeser was presented as an underdog, but due to shortened seasons or health and consistency problems, he never managed to score 30 goals. This year he seems to be on track to get there.
Strange as it may seem, the American has not yet reached this plateau. In fact, the closest he came was his rookie season, where he scored 29 goals in 62 games. He also scored 23 goals in 56 games in 2020-2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
IN THE MAIN VIDEO: Watch former Canucks Antoine Roussel’s intervention on JiC.
• Also read: Did everything go right for Connor Bedard on Thursday?
• Also read: Four Eastern teams are interested in Patrick Kane
After just 13 games in the 2023/24 season, Boeser has 11 goals on his record. Everything is going well with the Canucks, but also in the life of the 26-year-old forward, who has managed to make peace with his past demons.
“You can see Brock is different, he found a new way of thinking over the summer,” teammate JT Miller told Sportsnet on Thursday. I am very proud and happy for him. It’s dark times he’s been through and it makes me happy to get back on his feet in this way, to play with aggression and passion.
The Canucks player particularly had to deal with the illness of his father, who suffered from cancer and dementia. Duke Boeser died on May 27, 2022.
“I think I’ll just go back to playing the way I know I can play,” assured the main prospect. I think the mental aspect is key. I am motivated. I want to win games and be able to think clearly without distractions bothering me. It’s a big relief.”
Not just a shooter
As if that wasn’t enough, Boeser suffered from several ailments that prevented him from putting his best foot forward. He suffered a hand injury early in the season and had to wait until November 18 to make his first start. A year later, the difference is striking.
“It’s really nice to see him happy and playing well and of course scoring a lot of goals. I saw the change on the ice,” said Vancouver leading scorer Elias Pettersson.
Don’t think that Boeser is just a trigger-happy player who got lucky this season. Head coach Rick Tocchet quickly put him in uncomfortable situations, especially in defense, and the winger did very well.
“He’s not just a shooter. Since I’ve been here I’ve been hearing, “He’s a shooter, he’s a shooter, he’s a shooter.” But I see further. “I see a guy who can play 200 feet,” Tocchet said last week, again according to Sportsnet.
“It’s been a tough few years. I think I’m starting to understand. I feel like I’m playing very well and playing well defensively, but I have to do that all season long,” concluded Boeser, whose personal season best is 56 points.