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Tyler Bozak
Tyler Bozak
Tyler Bozak
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Tyler Bozak (born March 19, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the St. Louis Blues in the National Hockey League (NHL). Prior to being signed by the Maple Leafs as a free agent, Bozak had played two seasons at the University of Denver in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In 2018, after nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, Bozak signed with the Blues in free agency. In his first season with the Blues, Bozak won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Boston Bruins in 2019.

Key Information

Playing career

[edit]

Amateur

[edit]

Bozak started playing in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for the Victoria Salsa in the 2004–05 season, after unsuccessful training camps at the top tier junior league, the Western Hockey League (WHL) level.[1] He spent three seasons in the BCHL with the Victoria franchise. In his final season, Bozak recorded 128 points (45 goals and 83 assists), and was awarded the Brett Hull Trophy as the BCHL's top scorer.[2]

On December 11, 2006, the University of Denver Pioneers announced that Bozak had signed a letter of intent to play hockey for the school.[3] He joined the Pioneers for the 2007–08 season. During his freshman year with the team, Bozak played in all 41 games and led the team in scoring with 34 points (18 goals and 16 assists).[1] He was second in the country with five shorthanded goals.[4] During the season, Bozak was named the Red Baron Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) Rookie of the Week four times and was named the Hockey Commissioner's Association (HCA) Rookie of the Month for December.[4] At the end of the season, Bozak was named to the All-WCHA third team and to the All-WCHA Rookie Team.[4]

Heading into his sophomore season with the Pioneers, Bozak was named to the College Hockey News Preseason All-America Team.[4] On December 12, he tore the meniscus in his left knee in a game against the Minnesota State Mavericks, causing him to miss more than half of the Pioneers' season.[4] After the season, Bozak was named to the All-WCHA Academic Team.[4]

Professional (2009–2022)

[edit]

Toronto Maple Leafs (2009–2018)

[edit]

After his sophomore season, Bozak was a heavily pursued free agent despite never being drafted by an NHL team. On April 3, 2009, he signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[5] Exact financial details of the contract were not released, but it has been rumoured to be worth close to $4 million per season if all performance bonuses were to be reached.[6] After signing, Bozak did not play for the Leafs during the remainder of the 2008–09 season, instead taking the time to further rehabilitate his injured knee.[7]

Bozak beats Martin Brodeur in a game in April 2011.

Bozak attended the Maple Leafs' training camp prior to the 2009–10 season. He had a strong training camp, though due to salary cap constraints, he was sent down to the Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Then-Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson admitted that Bozak indeed had a strong camp, stating, "He'll probably have to go down because of numbers. Based on the way he played in training camp, he's certainly worthy of playing in the NHL, but we may not have room at the beginning."[8] Bozak was eventually recalled on October 13, 2009,[9] and made his NHL debut the same night against the Colorado Avalanche. During the game, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist on a goal scored by defenceman François Beauchemin.[10] After playing one game for Toronto, Bozak was returned to the Marlies on October 15.[9] Later in the season, on January 12, 2010, he was again called by the Maple Leafs,[9] where two days later, on January 14, he scored his first career NHL goal in a 4–0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.[11]

Bozak had his first career two-goal game on January 1, 2011, against the Ottawa Senators as part of a 5–1 win.

In the following off-season, on July 5, he then agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs.

On July 5, 2013, he signed a five-year, $21 million contract extension with Toronto.

On March 28, 2015, towards the conclusion of the 2014–15 season, Bozak scored his first career NHL hat-trick, as well as recording one assist to cap off a four-point performance, contributing to all four Toronto goals.[12] Bozak would finish the season with a career-high 23 goals while tying his career-high of 49 total points. During the season, future superstar Connor McDavid, who was drafted in June 2015, stated that Bozak was his most comparable player due to the centre's good skating and "pass first" mentality.[13]

The 2015 off-season saw the Maple Leafs trade away star winger Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bozak had spent much of his NHL career playing on a line with Kessel, and many fans and media outlets predicted that Bozak's offensive production would decline significantly in his absence, with some even saying Bozak's point totals would resemble bottom line players (Bozak had spent most of his career on Toronto's top line).[14][15] To the surprise of many, Bozak experienced career years following Kessel's departure, scoring at a pace much higher than predicted, and remaining on Toronto's top two lines.[16][17][18] In an ironic turn of events, both Bozak and James van Riemsdyk (who also shared top line duties since joining the team) had more points and better analytics than Kessel at the Christmas break. After the holiday hiatus concluded, Bozak was named one of the NHL's three stars of the week for the period of December 21–28.[19] Bozak had five points in this three-game span, also scoring his second career hat-trick en route in a 7–4 win over the Avalanche on December 21.

The following season, 2016–17, Bozak scored a career-high 55 points on a line with van Riemsdyk and rookie Mitch Marner, helping the team make the playoffs for the second time in his career.

St. Louis Blues (2018–2022)

[edit]

After nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, Bozak left the club as a free agent, signing a three-year, $15 million contract with the St. Louis Blues on July 1, 2018.[20] Bozak won a Stanley Cup with the Blues on June 12, 2019.[21]

On September 14, 2021, Bozak re-signed with the Blues on a one-year, $750,000 contract.

Personal life

[edit]

Bozak's parents are Mitch and Karon,[22] and he has one brother, Justin.[23] He graduated from Sheldon-Williams Collegiate in Regina, Saskatchewan.[4] While in high school, he volunteered for the Raise a Reader program and was on the honour roll all three years.[4] While at the University of Denver, Bozak majored in Business.[4][24]

Bozak is a Ukrainian-Canadian.[nb 1]

Bozak is married to Molly Robinson. The couple were married on July 22, 2017, and have three children together.[26]

Career statistics

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2004–05 Regina Pat Canadians SHA 42 17 19 36 40 — — — — —
2004–05 Victoria Salsa BCHL 55 15 16 31 24 — — — — —
2005–06 Victoria Salsa BCHL 56 31 38 69 26 — — — — —
2006–07 Victoria Grizzlies BCHL 59 45 83 128 45 — — — — —
2007–08 University of Denver WCHA 41 18 16 34 22 — — — — —
2008–09 University of Denver WCHA 19 8 15 23 10 — — — — —
2009–10 Toronto Marlies AHL 32 4 16 20 6 — — — — —
2009–10 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 37 8 19 27 6 — — — — —
2010–11 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 15 17 32 14 — — — — —
2011–12 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 73 18 29 47 22 — — — — —
2012–13 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 46 12 16 28 6 5 1 1 2 4
2013–14 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 58 19 30 49 14 — — — — —
2014–15 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 23 26 49 44 — — — — —
2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 57 12 23 35 18 — — — — —
2016–17 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 78 18 37 55 30 6 2 2 4 4
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 81 11 32 43 28 7 2 2 4 6
2018–19 St. Louis Blues NHL 72 13 25 38 20 26 5 8 13 8
2019–20 St. Louis Blues NHL 67 13 16 29 10 8 0 2 2 2
2020–21 St. Louis Blues NHL 31 5 12 17 10 4 1 1 2 0
2021–22 St. Louis Blues NHL 50 3 9 12 14 12 2 0 2 0
NHL totals 814 170 291 461 236 68 13 16 29 24

Awards

[edit]

Junior

[edit]
Award Date
Brett Hull Trophy as BCHL Top Scorer 2006–07 season[2]

NCAA

[edit]
Award Date
Red Baron WCHA Rookie of the Week November 6, 2007[4]
December 18, 2007[4]
January 2, 2008[4]
February 12, 2008[4]
HCA Rookie of the Month December 2007[4]
All-WCHA Third Team 2007–08[4]
All-WCHA Rookie Team 2007–08[4]
All-WCHA Academic Team 2008–09[4]

NHL

[edit]
Award Date
Stanley Cup champion 2019

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tyler Bozak

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Tyler Bozak (born March 19, 1986) is a Canadian former centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the from 2009 to 2018 and the from 2018 to 2022. Undrafted after a standout college career at the , where he recorded 57 points in 60 games over two seasons, Bozak signed as a with on April 3, 2009, and quickly established himself as a reliable two-way centre known for his prowess (53.6% career success rate). During his nine seasons with the Maple Leafs, Bozak centred top lines alongside stars like and , achieving a career-high 55 points (18 goals, 37 assists) in 2016–17 and serving as an alternate from 2015 to 2018. He demonstrated strong durability, playing all 82 games in two of his first seven full NHL seasons and contributing to Toronto's playoff appearances in 2013, 2017, and 2017–18, though the team did not advance beyond the first round during his tenure. In 2018, Bozak signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the as a , where he transitioned to a bottom-six role and won the in his debut season of 2018–19, playing 26 playoff games and adding 13 points. Over his 13-year NHL career, Bozak amassed 170 goals and 291 assists for 461 points in 814 regular-season games, along with 29 points in 68 playoff contests, highlighting his consistency as an undrafted player who exceeded 40 points in five seasons. Prior to the NHL, he led the (BCHL) in scoring with 128 points (45 goals, 83 assists) for the Victoria Grizzlies in 2006–07, earning a spot on the WCHA All-Rookie Team in his first college year. Bozak last played in the 2021–22 season with before retiring at age 36.

Early career

Junior hockey

Tyler Bozak was born on March 19, 1986, in , where he developed an early interest in hockey through local pond games and watching the sport. He attended Sheldon-Williams Collegiate in Regina during his high school years. Bozak played three seasons in the (BCHL) with the Victoria franchise, which was known as the Victoria Salsa during his first two years before rebranding to the Victoria Grizzlies for the 2006–07 season. In his rookie campaign of 2004–05, he recorded 31 points (15 goals and 16 assists) in 55 games, marking a solid start to his junior career. Bozak showed significant improvement the following year, 2005–06, amassing 69 points (31 goals and 38 assists) over 56 games. His breakout came in 2006–07, when he led the BCHL with a league-high 128 points (45 goals and 83 assists) in 59 games, establishing himself as one of the top junior scorers in the country. For his performance, Bozak was awarded the Trophy as the BCHL's top scorer. He also claimed the league lead in assists with 83 that season. Following his junior success, Bozak transitioned to college hockey at the .

College hockey

Bozak enrolled at the in 2007, joining the Pioneers men's team in the (WCHA). In his freshman season of 2007–08, Bozak led the team in scoring with 18 goals and 16 assists for 34 points in 41 games, earning honors as a member of the WCHA All-Rookie Team and the WCHA Third All-Star Team. His performance helped the Pioneers capture the WCHA playoff championship—their 15th in program history—and advance to the , where they fell in the first round to . As a in 2008–09, Bozak's season was cut short by a injury sustained in December 2008, when he tore the meniscus in his left during a game against Minnesota State and underwent arthroscopic surgery. He returned to record 8 goals and 15 assists for 23 points in 19 games, and was selected to the WCHA All-Academic Team. Over two college seasons, Bozak tallied 26 goals and 31 assists for 57 points in 60 games, contributing to a 49–26–6 record for the Pioneers. On April 3, 2009, he signed a two-year entry-level contract with the as an undrafted .

NHL career

Toronto Maple Leafs

Bozak signed a two-year entry-level contract with the as an undrafted on April 3, 2009, forgoing his remaining college eligibility at the . Assigned to the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate, the , for the 2009–10 season, he recorded 4 goals and 16 assists in 32 games before earning a call-up. He made his NHL debut on October 13, 2009, against the , registering his first NHL point with an assist in a 4–2 loss. Returned to the Marlies after two games, Bozak was recalled permanently in mid-January 2010 and scored his first NHL goal two days later on January 14 against Michael Leighton. In his rookie season, he appeared in 37 games, contributing 8 goals and 19 assists while primarily serving as a checking-line . Over the following seasons, Bozak's role evolved significantly; by 2010–11, he had established himself as the top-line alongside sniper , a partnership that boosted his offensive output through enhanced playmaking opportunities. This top-line role peaked in 2014–15, when Bozak set a then-career high with 23 goals in 82 games despite the Maple Leafs' struggles. He reached his overall production pinnacle in 2016–17, tallying 55 points (18 goals and 37 assists) in 78 games, showcasing his prowess (56.7% win rate) and two-way reliability. Bozak's tenure with spanned nine seasons, during which he re-signed twice: a two-year deal worth $3 million on July 5, 2011, and a five-year, $21 million extension ($4.2 million AAV) on July 5, 2013, reflecting his growing importance to the franchise's core. In 594 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs from to , Bozak amassed 136 goals, 229 assists, and 365 points, solidifying his reputation as a dependable middle-six pivot who anchored the team's top lines during a period of rebuilding and transition.

St. Louis Blues

On July 1, , Tyler Bozak signed a three-year, $15 million free-agent with the , bringing his experience as a reliable center from nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs to bolster the team's contending roster. Over four seasons with the , Bozak appeared in 220 regular-season games, recording 34 goals and 62 assists for 96 points, often serving as a presence on the third or fourth line while contributing to wins and penalty killing. Bozak played a key role in the Blues' 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs run, appearing in all 26 games with 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points, helping the team secure its in franchise history on June 12, 2019, against the . As a core veteran center, his steady play provided depth and leadership during the postseason, including scoring a crucial third-period goal in of the Western Conference Finals to help clinch the series against the . The Blues defeated the Bruins 4-1 in Game 7 of the Final, with Bozak logging consistent minutes in the decisive victory. Following the 2020-21 season, Bozak signed a one-year extension worth $750,000 for the 2021-22 campaign, during which he added 12 points in 50 games before the contract expired. Upon becoming an in July 2022, Bozak did not sign with another team and effectively retired from professional hockey, concluding his NHL career with 814 regular-season games, 170 goals, 291 assists, and 461 points.

Personal life

Family background

Tyler Bozak was born and raised in , by his parents, Mitch and Karon Bozak, both lifelong residents of the city. The family emphasized responsibility and humility in their upbringing, with Mitch introducing Tyler to hockey at a young age by constructing an L-shaped backyard rink, fostering his early passion for the sport. Bozak has one older brother, Justin, who also participated in hockey but at recreational and amateur levels, including playing goalie in the Adult Safe Hockey Network (ASHN) league in Regina during the 2009-10 season. The brothers grew up participating in local minor hockey leagues in Regina, where the family's unwavering support—such as attending games at various levels, from youth to senior leagues in places like —played a key role in Tyler's development and eventual transition to junior hockey. This familial foundation in Regina provided Bozak with a stable environment that influenced his early commitment to the game, helping shape his disciplined approach before pursuing higher levels of competition.

Marriage and children

Bozak married Molly Robinson on July 22, 2017, in a held in . The couple had begun their relationship earlier in Bozak's tenure, with Robinson providing support amid his professional demands. The Bozaks welcomed their first child, son Kanon, in 2016 during Bozak's time with the Maple Leafs. Their daughter, Blake, was born on June 23, 2018, shortly before Bozak's departure from . Following Bozak's signing with the on July 1, 2018, the family relocated to that summer, adapting to the move while Blake was an infant. In , the family continued to grow with the birth of their third child, son Carter, on March 16, 2020. Molly and the children offered crucial support during Bozak's playoff pursuits. Following Bozak's after the 2021-22 season, the family has maintained a low profile, respecting their preference for privacy.

Career statistics

Regular season

Bozak's National Hockey League (NHL) career spanned from the 2009–10 season to the 2021–22 season, during which he recorded the following regular-season statistics across his tenures with the and .
SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-PPG
2009–10TOR37819276-52
2010–11TOR8215173214-296
2011–12TOR7318294722-74
2012–13TOR461216286-14
2013–14TOR581930491425
2014–15TOR8223264944-3412
2015–16TOR5712233518-93
2016–17TOR7818375530-17
2017–18TOR811132432863
2018–19STL7213253820-32
2019–20STL671316291002
2020–21STL315121710-31
2021–22STL50391214-110
Over his NHL career, Bozak appeared in 814 regular-season games, scoring 170 goals and recording 291 assists for 461 total points, while accumulating 236 penalty minutes. He won 53.6% of his career faceoffs. His peak regular-season performance came in 2016–17, when he tallied 55 points with the Maple Leafs.

Playoffs

Bozak made his NHL playoff debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013, appearing in five games during their run to the Eastern Conference Final, where they ultimately fell to the Boston Bruins. Despite an upper-body injury limiting his participation, he contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in those games. He returned for subsequent postseasons with Toronto in 2017 and 2018, helping the team advance past the first round each time, accumulating additional scoring in limited roles on the checking lines. After joining the in 2019, Bozak became a key depth center in their -winning campaign that year, playing all 26 playoff games and registering 5 goals and 8 assists, including 2 power-play goals, while providing strong work and penalty killing. The Blues defeated the in seven games in the Finals, marking Bozak's only victory. He continued to appear in the postseason with through 2022, contributing steadily in circles and forechecking duties across multiple rounds. Bozak's NHL playoff statistics by season are as follows:
SeasonTeamGPGAPtsPIM+/-PPG
2012-13TOR5112400
2016-17TOR6224401
2017-18TOR72246-10
2018-19STL2658138-22
2019-20STL80222-30
2020-21STL41120-10
2021-22STL122020-10
With the Maple Leafs, Bozak totaled 18 games played, 5 goals, 5 assists, and 10 points. His contributions with the spanned 50 games, yielding 8 goals, 11 assists, and 19 points, highlighted by his role in the 2019 championship. Across his career, Bozak appeared in 68 playoff games, scoring 13 goals and adding 16 assists for 29 points, along with 24 penalty minutes and a -8 plus-minus rating.

Awards and honors

Junior

During his junior career with the Victoria Grizzlies in the (BCHL), Tyler Bozak received two notable individual awards in the 2006–07 season. He won the Trophy as the league's top scorer, tallying 128 points in 59 games. Bozak also earned the BCHL Most Assists award that year, recording 83 assists to lead the league. These honors highlighted his offensive prowess as a playmaking forward, with no other major national or international junior team selections during this period. His dominant performance in the BCHL contributed to his recruitment by the for NCAA hockey.

College

During his freshman season at the in 2007–08, Tyler Bozak was selected to the All-WCHA Rookie Team after leading the Pioneers in scoring and helping the team capture the WCHA playoff title. He also earned All-WCHA Third Team honors that year for his performance as a forward. Additionally, Bozak was named WCHA Rookie of the Week on four occasions and HCA Rookie of the Month in December 2007. In his sophomore year of 2008–09, limited by a knee injury that sidelined him for much of the season, Bozak received recognition for his academic performance by being named to the All-WCHA Academic Team. Though Bozak did not earn further on-ice accolades. Bozak did not win any national championships during his NCAA career and the University of Denver did not advance to the Frozen Four in either of his seasons.

NHL

Bozak won the as a member of the in 2019, marking the franchise's first championship in its history. His playoff contributions, including key face-offs and defensive play, were instrumental in the Blues' seven-game victory over the in the Final. During his tenure with the , Bozak served as an alternate captain, a role he held starting in the 2015–16 season alongside , Matt Hunwick, and Leo Komarov, continuing into the 2016–17 season with Hunwick, Komarov, and , and in the 2017–18 season with Komarov, Rielly, and . This leadership position recognized his reliability as a two-way center and his contributions to team morale during a rebuilding period. Bozak did not receive any individual NHL awards, such as selections or nominations for major honors like the Hart Trophy. His professional accolades were primarily team-oriented, centered on the 2019 success.

References

  1. https://www.nhl.com/player/tyler-bozak-8475098
  2. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/11589/tyler-bozak
  3. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/b/bozakty01.html
  4. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/bozak-leafs-introduction/
  5. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/stanley-cup-in-regina-1.5202754
  6. https://bchlnetwork.ca/revisiting-the-rebranding-of-the-salsa-to-the-grizzlies/
  7. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83925
  8. https://bchlnetwork.ca/former-grizzlies-den-members-tyler-bozak/
  9. https://bchl.ca/brett-hull-trophy
  10. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/top_league.php?lid=bchl2001&sid=2007
  11. https://denverpioneers.com/news/2009/4/3/Bozak_Signs_with_Toronto_Maple_Leafs
  12. https://denverpioneers.com/news/2008/4/16/WCHA_Playoff_Title_and_NCAA_Appearance_Highlight_59th_Season_of_DU_Hockey.aspx
  13. https://denverpioneers.com/news/2008/12/16/Bozak_to_Undergo_Arthroscopic_Knee_Surgery.aspx
  14. https://theahl.com/stats/player/3149
  15. https://www.nhlpa.com/news/a-boost-for-bozak/
  16. https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/nhl-face-off-win-percentage-leaders-2016-2017-over-75-face-offs-taken-top-100
  17. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/leafs-re-sign-bozak-to-five-year-21-million-deal/
  18. https://puckpedia.com/signing/885
  19. https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blues-sign-tyler-bozak-three-year-15m-contract/
  20. https://www.nhl.com/news/san-jose-sharks-st-louis-blues-game-6-recap-307496322
  21. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/player/_/id/8200/tyler-bozak
  22. https://leaderpost.com/news/local/boys-of-winter-enjoy-the-summer
  23. http://hphl.stats.pointstreak.com/players-team-roster.html?teamid=210104&seasonid=4350
  24. https://registry.theknot.com/molly-robinson-tyler-bozak-july-2017-co/15206262
  25. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/tyler-bozak-toronto-maple-leafs-nhl
  26. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/471185/2018/08/14/all-tyler-bozak-did-this-offseason-was-grow-his-family-join-a-new-team-and-adjust-to-a-new-life/
  27. https://www.ksdk.com/article/sports/blues-forward-tyler-bozak-wife-molly-welcome-baby-boy/63-c3be90b3-343e-4bf4-9589-b67791d65445
  28. https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/5/13/4327612/tyler-bozak-injury-update-stanley-cup-playoffs-2013
  29. https://www.hockey-reference.com/playoffs/NHL_2019_leaders.html
  30. https://www.eliteprospects.com/awards/bchl?name=BCHL%20Most%20Assists
  31. https://www.nhlpa.com/news/a-true-team-effort/
  32. https://denverpioneers.com/news/2010/4/30/2009_10_Hockey_Final_Release
  33. https://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/ncaa-tournament/2008
  34. https://www.nhl.com/blues/news/stanley-cup-shows-up-at-roughriders-game-308201238
  35. https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/summer-with-the-champs-bozak-308442194
  36. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/76/toronto-maple-leafs/captaincy-history
  37. https://nationalpost.com/sports/hockey/nhl/rebuilding-toronto-maple-leafs-still-have-potential-to-surprise-the-nhl-in-2016-17-tyler-bozak
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