By Ethan Ready

Veteran Presence

Boyko ‘pumped’ to join Cougars following Draft Day trade

Jun 1, 2022 | 12:43 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Getting traded can sometimes be a bittersweet bit of news for a player to have to receive, but for Noah Boyko, the news he was traded to the Prince George Cougars was welcomed with excitement.

“A lot of people think it’s a bad thing you’re getting traded and stuff, and I don’t see it that way at all,” explained Boyko during a call with CKPG from his hometown of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. “I feel there’s a big opportunity in Prince George, and I feel Prince George has a lot of potential. Really, I’m just pumped about it.”

During the WHL Draft on May 19, 2022, the Prince George Cougars acquired the 2002-born forward from the Saskatoon Blades, in exchange for a fourth-round pick (72nd overall) used in yesterday’s draft.

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While Boyko admits getting traded is hard, he believes it’s another opportunity to make some new friends and new connections, as well as immerse himself in a new community. Prince George will be the third team he plays for since entering the league in 2017.

“I think I can bring a lot to Prince George and help the team win and help ring the team to the next level, along with a lot of the other skill guys that they have.”

Boyko will be one of three overage spots for the Cougars during next season. Currently, the Cougars have room for one more 20-year-old with Boyko joining Aiden Reeves as eligible overage players. Reeves was the only 19-year-old on the roster during the 2021-22 season.

In 47 games last season, the forward tallied 30 points (16 goals, 14 assists) during a season he split between the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Saskatoon Blades. The winger was acquired by the Blades from the Hurricanes in late December.

The six-foot-one, 191-pound forward was originally a first-round pick (16th overall) by the Hurricanes in the 2017 WHL Prospects Draft. Boyko will join his new team when the Cougars open their 2022 Training Camp in September.