University of Minnesota Athletics
Travis Boyd Signs with Capitals
3/31/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) -- Gopher Hockey senior forward Travis Boyd has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals beginning the 2015-16 season. Boyd will report to the Hershey Bears (AHL) on a try-out agreement.
"I couldn't have asked for a better college experience over the last four years, and I will always be proud to be a Golden Gopher," Boyd said. "I'm excited to be signing with the Washington Capitals, and I'm looking forward to the next step in my hockey career."
A native of Hopkins, Minn., Boyd closed out his college career with 96 points (32 goals, 64 assists) in 148 career games with the Gophers and was part of the first class in Minnesota's modern era to win four-straight regular-season conference championships. Boyd also helped the Gophers to four-straight NCAA tournament appearances and a pair of NCAA Frozen Four berths while no team in the nation had more wins over the last four years than Minnesota with 105.
Proud to announce I have signed with the @washcaps! Thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way
-- Travis Boyd (@Tboyd93) March 31, 2015
A forward for the Gophers, Boyd put together an outstanding senior campaign despite missing the entire month of November with an injury. The Minnesota center tallied career highs with 41 points and 19 goals (more than doubling his previous single-season goal mark) in just 32 games while leading the nation with a .288 shooting percentage. He also ranked second nationally with 10 power-play goals (one off the NCAA lead) and added six game-winning goals while winning .576 of the faceoffs he took as a senior.
A Second Team All-Big Ten honoree this year, Boyd also earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Tournament Team after helping the Maroon & Gold to the program's first conference playoff title since 2007.
"This is a great opportunity for Travis to continue his hockey career, and we certainly wish him the best," Gopher Hockey head coach Don Lucia said. "Travis was a big part of our program over the last four years, and we look forward to seeing him continue to be successful at the next level."
A four-year letter winner for the Gophers and a three-time academic all-conference recipient, Boyd was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Boyd is the third member of this year's senior class to sign a professional contract, joining Seth Ambroz and Kyle Rau.
