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Brock Boeser takes magical 24-hour ride from college player to NHL goalscorer

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Any hockey player’s first NHL goal is bound to be memorable, but Brock Boeser has a strong case for one of the most memorable ever. Boeser’s first career NHL goal came just 24 hours after finishing the NCAA Championship with the University of North Dakota (UND) and signing a contract with the Vancouver Canucks. His college teammate Shane Gersich, a Capitals prospect, was along for the ride.

UND’s team, whose alumni include TJ Oshie and Taylor Chorney, is full of NHL prospects. Gersich registered eight shots on goal during the team’s double overtime loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday. Boeser, who was second on the team with seven shots on goal, signed with the Canucks Saturday morning and then scored his first goal, the game winner, against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday afternoon. What a wild 24 hours.

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After blocking a Wild shot, Canucks left-winger Sven Baertschi kicked the puck to center Bo Horvat, who was moving quick on a 1-on-1. Boeser was close behind and picked up the rebound off Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper.

Boeser had 50 family and friends in the house. They all celebrated appropriately.

Gersich sent out his congratulations to Boeser on Twitter.

Boeser, a native Minnesotan and former sophomore at UND, was drafted 23rd overall in 2015 by the Canucks. Boeser slid right into the Canucks second line, played a total of 12 minutes and 44 seconds during the game, and was named first star. He joins former UND teammate Troy Stecher in Vancouver.

On top of the excitement of his first NHL game and later first NHL goal, Boeser also had the honor of having his parents, Duke and Laurie, read out the lineup card.

Duke Boeser was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010. It was a surprise to his parents that Boeser would be starting the game. As Duke read the lineup sheet, he came upon a special sentence. “And starting on right wing, I can’t believe it, Brock Boeser!” The look of shock took over his face and he stated that he was going to cry.

As Laurie wiped lipstick off Boeser’s face, Duke told his son, “did you know I was number 6 in high school? All three years.”

On Sunday, seven of Boeser and Stecher’s former UND teammates took a trip up to Winnipeg to show their support. Among the group was Gersich, who is wearing the green shirt and black hat along the glass. Stecher said the day was expensive for him to buy the tickets, and exposed Boeser for not having a credit card yet.

Gersich was shown on the Sportsnet broadcast and was later featured on the Canucks Instagram.

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Boeser played more minutes than his debut, with some time on the power play, and registered two shots on goal.

At this rate, Boeser is on his way to a very successful career in the NHL.

Photo: Vancouver Canucks

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