It’s somewhat of a shame that Darryl Boyce is probably best remembered in Toronto for suffering a horrific nose injury sustained when colliding into a part of the glass cut out for photographers.
The resulting photo’s of the aftermath promptly made the rounds on social media and I urge you not to check those images out if you’re of a nervous disposition.
Boyce should be remembered for being a player who carved himself a fairly decent playing career from relatively humble beginnings.
A left-winger mostly by trade though could play centre, Boyce played exclusively for the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors during his OHL career. He recorded 145 points in 262 games but perhaps is better known for his willingness to drop the gloves and all action, physical play.
Undrafted, Boyce played University hockey for New Brunswick before turning professional in 2007, signing a one-year AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies.
The PEI native took like a duck to water to the professional game, registering two assists on debut and scoring in his third and fourth games.
A total of 22 points in 32 games with the Marlies was enough to convince the Toronto Maple Leafs, to sign him to a two-year entry-level contract on January 1, 2008.
Just 23 days later the Canadian forward was recalled to the NHL to make his Toronto debut.
What should have been a happy occasion ended badly as Boyce suffered a separated shoulder injury against the Washington Capitals and lasted just five shifts, recording less than four minutes in ice-time. Surgery followed and thus curtailed his rookie season.
Boyce was able to put together a full campaign in 2009/10 but struggled to have the same impact offensively in the AHL as he did during his rookie campaign.
Despite that, almost a year on from his NHL debut, the Leafs recalled the left-winger and Boyce registered an assist against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 30, 2010.
Two days later on January 1, 2011, he scored his first NHL goal in Ottawa against Mike Brodeur of the Senators.
The first goal might not have been a thing of beauty but his second against the Los Angeles Kings and Jonathan Quick was one to remember.
In the summer of 2011, Boyce re-signed with the Leafs penning a one year contract but he would not see out the whole campaign in Toronto. After splitting the season between the AHL and NHL, Boyce was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 25, 2012.
Although he played in the final twenty regular-season games for the Blue Jackets to end the 2011–12 season his time in North America was drawing to a close.
The NHL lockout season of 2012-13 proved problematic for Boyce in regards finding a club and signed a try-out with the Hamilton Bulldogs. After just twenty-two games with Montreal’s affiliate, the Canadian native was released and he headed to Finland to play with reigning champions JYP Jyväskylä.
Boyce gave North America one last shot in 2013, signing a one-year AHL contract with the Springfield Falcons. It proved a successful stint as he registered a career-high 32 points in 63 games but with his NHL dream seemingly dead in the water, Boyce opted to test European waters further.
A second stint in the Finnish Liiga with JYP followed and brought some stability with a two-year contract.
Boyce would move on to Germany (DEL) in 2016, initially signing for ERC Ingolstadt where he recorded 31 points in 48 games. He remained in Germany, signing with Düsseldorfer EG and captained the club during the 2017-18 campaign.
It would be his last year playing professionally as Boyce hung up his skates and began a new role on August 15, 2018.
Boyce started his coaching career with the Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) initially as Co-ordinator of Hockey operations and a player development role. He moved behind the bench last season as an assistant coach and continues to fulfil that role.
Darryl Boyce played 84 NHL games, recording six goals and twelve assists.
In 199 games for the Toronto Marlies, Boyce registered 32 goals and 59 assists for 91 points.
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