UNH Recruit Profile: Rich Boyd

Rich Boyd
(Photo: Cushing Academy)

The University of New Hampshire has received a verbal commitment from Rich (Richey) Boyd (DOB: 6/6/1995), a tall, mobile defenseman. Last season, as a junior at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA, the 6'3", 195 lbs, left-shot blueliner was one of four captains who lead the Peguins to the New England Prep Large School Championship.

Boyd was the highest scoring defenseman on the Cushing squad posting 9 goals and 15 assists in 32 games. He was tied for 5th place in goal scoring among all New England Prep School defensemen.

U.S. Hockey Report has consistently called Rich Boyd one of the top players in his prep school class. In the 2011-2012 season, USHR listed Boyd as a top player at the Beantown Fall Classic and provided this assessment:

"Boyd is athletic, skates well, and has great size. He’s somewhat like his older brother, defenseman R.J. Boyd, a former Cushing captain and Florida Panthers draft pick now playing in Indiana, but with one significant difference: he processes the game faster. Will turn out to be the better of the Boyd brothers."

USHR also listed Boyd as one of the top sophomores in New England Prep hockey saying:

"Tall defender has a long wingspan. Thinks the game at faster pace than his older brother RJ (Michigan State recruit now with the Indiana Ice-USHL). Still needs to fill out and add a step to his skating."

Last season, USHR tagged Boyd as one of the top juniors in prep hockey and described his progress:

"Character player who defends with an edge and has an absolute bomb of a shot. Thinks the game quicker than his brothers, both Cushing grads. Is a shoe-in to be the Penguins’ captain next season."

Rich Boyd, and his older brothers R.J. and Sam, are from Lake Worth, Florida and they all grew up playing hockey for the Florida Eels Hockey organization based in Fort Myers. All three brothers are defensemen.

After graduating from Cushing Academy in 2010, R.J. Boyd briefly played for Sacred Heart University then joined the Indiana Ice in the USHL. R.J. was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Draft. Next season, he will be a senior at Michigan State University. Sam Boyd graduated from Cushing in 2012 and currently plays for the Connecticut Oilers of the EJHL.

Rich Boyd was selected by the Omaha Lancers in the 6th Round of the 2011 USHL Futures Draft. He is currently on the Lancers' Affiliate List.

I had an opportunity to interview Rich Boyd, via email, about his background, commitment to UNH, and future plans:   

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"):  Congratulations on your commitment to play for the University of New Hampshire.  What are the main reasons you chose UNH?
Rich Boyd: I chose UNH because that's the school I have always wanted to go to. They are my favorite college team. I have been to a couple of games at the Witt and the atmosphere there was incredible, not like any other college game I had been to.

Mike Lowry:  What other college programs were you considering?
Rich Boyd:  The University of Vermont.

Lowry:  Have you and the UNH coaches agreed on a target date for you to enroll as a freshman at UNH and join the team?
Boyd:  No.

Lowry: Last season, as a junior at Cushing Academy, you were one of the team's captains and you finished the season as the team's leading scorer among defensemen. Do you plan on returning to Cushing for your senior season?
Boyd: Yes, I will be attending Cushing Academy for my senior year.

Lowry: In 2011, you were drafted by the Omaha Lancers in the USHL Futures Draft. Have you considered playing for the Lancers?
Boyd: Yes, but not until after I graduate from Cushing Academy.

Lowry: It's unusual for UNH to have a player who grew up playing hockey in Florida. Next season, defenseman Dylan Maller from Parkland, Florida, will be joining the Wildcats. What was it like playing your youth hockey with the Florida Eels organization?
Boyd: I played for the Eels from when I was 5 years old until I was 15, and I loved it. I couldn’t be more thankful for Frank Scarpaci and the Eels organization.

Lowry: What are the strongest aspects of your skills as a defenseman and what areas are you working to improve?
Boyd: I can read the ice very well and I am a shutdown defensemen. Something I am trying to work on is retrieving puck off the boards to make it easier for the first pass.

Lowry: Your older brother R.J. plays for Michigan State and was drafted by the Florida Panthers. How would you compare your game to his?
Boyd: I think we have the same playing style; big, strong, shutdown defensemen. I always went to him for tips and advice.

Lowry: What are your academic strengths? Is there a major course of study you would like to pursue when you get to UNH?
Boyd: I'm not 100% sure what I want to do after hockey, but I have always wanted to be an FBI agent or coach hockey