| Zach Bogosian | |||
|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Bogosian in May 2024 | |||
| Born | (1990-07-15)July 15, 1990 (age 34) Massena, New York, U.S. | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| NHL team Former teams | Minnesota Wild Atlanta Thrashers Winnipeg Jets Buffalo Sabres Tampa Bay Lightning Toronto Maple Leafs | ||
| National team |  United States | ||
| NHL draft | 3rd overall,2008 Atlanta Thrashers | ||
| Playing career | 2008–present | ||
Zachary M. Bogosian (born July 15, 1990) is an American professionalice hockeydefenseman for theMinnesota Wild of theNational Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for theAtlanta Thrashers,Winnipeg Jets,Buffalo Sabres,Tampa Bay Lightning andToronto Maple Leafs. Bogosian won theStanley Cup as a member of the Lightning in2020.
Nicknamed "Bogo", Bogosian was regarded as a complete, physical defenseman who could contribute on both offense and defense; he was rated as one of the top players heading into the2008 NHL Entry Draft, where theAtlanta Thrashers selected him third overall. Bogosian first played in an international tournament when he joined theAmerican national team at the2009 IIHF World Championship.
In 2004, Bogosian entered high school atCushing Academy, aprep school inMassachusetts. The assistant coach of the school's hockey team wasRay Bourque, a former NHL defenseman who was elected to theHockey Hall of Fame.[1] Bogosian's teammates at Cushing included his older brother, Aaron, and Bourque's son,Ryan.[2] While at Cushing he was used mostly as a fifth or sixth defenseman and played few minutes as a result.[1] After his second year at the school, Bogosian was selected 19th overall in the 2006Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Draft by thePeterborough Petes[3] Bogosian's decision to play in the OHL rather than go to theNCAA differed from most of his teammates, including his brother. As his father and uncle had also playedcollege football in the NCAA, it was expected that Bogosian would follow them in going to university. He cited watchingOttawa 67's games at age nine as a major influence in deciding to play in Canada.[1]
Bogosian began playing for the Petes in the2006–07 season. He played 67 games for the team and finished with 7 goals and 26 assists for 33 points, which was second on the team in points for both rookies and defensemen.[4] In recognition of his season, he was named to the OHL's Second All-Rookie Team, as one of the top four rookie defensemen in the league.[5] Thenext season, Bogosian appeared in 60 games for the Petes. He led his team in scoring with 61 points (11 goals, 50 assists), the only defenseman in the league do so;[6] the 50 assists he scored were second in the league among defensemen.[7] The Petes reached the playoffs after missing the previous year, and Bogosian added another three assists in five games. During the season, he participated in both the OHL All-Star Classic and theCHL Top Prospects Game, an all-star game of prospects from the three leagues in theCanadian Hockey League (Western Hockey League,Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and OHL).[4] At the conclusion of the season, Bogosian was named one of the five draft-eligible finalists for theRed Tilson Trophy as most outstanding player in the OHL, and was also named to the OHL First All-Star Team as one of the two best defensemen in the league.[8]
Prior to the2008 NHL Entry Draft, Bogosian was ranked by theNHL Central Scouting Bureau as the second best North American skater for the draft and the third ranked prospect out of the OHL.[9] He was drafted third overall by theAtlanta Thrashers behindSteven Stamkos andDrew Doughty.[10] He was noted by his coach in Peterborough, Vince Malette, to be a "very physical defenseman who is a complete player" and defensively solid who could skate well with the puck and not lose speed. Thrashers general managerDon Waddell liked the physical aspect Bogosian brought to a game, as well as his ability to help score goals while at the same time stop other teams' top players.[11] Bogosian had been noted prior for the draft for his dedication to training, as he drove more than 90 minutes to Ottawa to get a better work out.[12]
In July 2008, Bogosian attended the Thrashers prospect development camp. The youngest player of the 32 at the camp, he stood out as one of the best players there and effectively assured himself a roster spot on the team.[13] On September 4, 2008, Bogosian signed a three-year, entry-level contract worth $2.625 million with the Thrashers.[14] He was named to the team's opening day lineup, and made his NHL debut in the first game of the season on October 10 against theWashington Capitals. Bogosian became the youngest person to play for the Thrashers that night at 18 years and 87 days, surpassingIlya Kovalchuk (18 years, 172 days). Twenty-four seconds into his first shift, Bogosian was called for aholding penalty,[15] while later in the contest, he had afight with CapitalsenforcerDonald Brashear.[16] Eight games into the season, however, on October 28, Bogosian broke his left leg in a game against thePhiladelphia Flyers. Prior to rejoining the Thrashers, Bogosian was sent to theirAmerican Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, theChicago Wolves, for conditioning. After playing five games with the Wolves, including scoring his first professional goal on January 3, 2009, against theRockford IceHogs, Bogosian rejoined the Thrashers for the remainder of the season.[17] He scored his first NHL goal and recorded his first assist in his twelfth game on January 17, 2009, againstPekka Rinne of theNashville Predators.[18] Bogosian finished his first professional season with 19 points in 47 NHL games and 1 goal in 5 AHL games as the Thrashers finished out of the playoffs.[19]
Throughout the2009–10 season Bogosian was bothered by an injury. During a game against theOttawa Senators on October 31, 2009, Bogosian fell behind his team's net; with his left hand lying on the net's iron frame along the ice, another player fell on top of him. The impact broke his left thumb and injured his wrist.[20] Though he did not miss any time from the injury, it had an effect on his offensive play; Bogosian was perceived to be more hesitant with the puck, choosing to pass it more often than shooting.[20] In the first 17 games of the season, he had scored 8 goals, then went 29 contests without scoring.[21] In the final 64 games, he only scored 2 goals. After he recovered, Bogosian admitted he did not play at his full capacity, but had decided not to disclose the injury to the team until the season finished in April 2010.[20] Regardless of his injury, Bogosian only missed one game throughout the season, a game on March 14 against thePhoenix Coyotes.[21] Even with these setbacks, Bogosian set career highs for games played (81), goals (10), assists (13) and points (23).[22] The 10 goals he scored tied a team record for most by a defenseman in a season, first set byYannick Tremblay in1999–2000, the Thrashers' inaugural year.[23] He also set a team record with 196 hits. Again the Thrashers missed the playoffs.After the Atlanta Thrashers were sold to True North Sports & Entertainment and were relocated to Winnipeg, Bogosian agreed to terms on a new two-year, $5 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets on September 14, 2011.[24]
During the2014–15 season, his seventh with the Thrashers/Jets franchise, Bogosian was traded alongsideEvander Kane and the rights toJason Kasdorf, to theBuffalo Sabres in exchange forTyler Myers,Drew Stafford,Brendan Lemieux,Joel Armia, and a conditional first-round pick (Jack Roslovic) in the2015 NHL Entry Draft.[25]
On February 14, 2020, the Sabres placed Bogosian on waivers. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to theRochester Americans the following day. Three days later, Bogosian was suspended by the Sabres for failing to report to Rochester.[26] On February 21, Bogosian was placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract termination.[27]
As a free agent, Bogosian drew league interest before signing a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 23, 2020.[28] On August 3, 2020, Bogosian skated in his first career NHL playoff game.[29] On August 15, 2020, Bogosian recorded his first career NHL playoff assist and point in a 3–2 game 3 victory over theColumbus Blue Jackets.[30][31] On September 28, 2020, Bogosian won theStanley Cup for the first time.
As a free agent, Bogosian signed a one year, $1 million contract with theToronto Maple Leafs on October 10, 2020.[32] In the2020–21 season, Bogosian was a regular physical presence on the blueline with the Maple Leafs, registering 4 assists through 45 regular season games. He collected 1 assist in 7 game first-round series defeat in the post-season to theMontreal Canadiens. Bogosian's play was praised by analysts for his performance in a depth role, and the team made attempts to re-sign him, although were unable to among rumors that Bogosian was unhappy with the Canadian and Ontario governments' public health restrictions in response toCOVID-19.[33][34]
As a free agent from the Maple Leafs, Bogosian opted to return to the two time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in agreeing to a three-year, $2.55 million contract on July 28, 2021.[35]
On November 8, 2023, Bogosian was traded to theMinnesota Wild in exchange for a2025 seventh-round pick.[36] On March 6, 2024, the Wild signed Bogosian to a two-year contract extension.[37]
Bogosian made his international debut with theAmerican national team at the2009 IIHF World Championship inSwitzerland. He appeared in all nine games for the team, and recorded one assist, in a game againstFrance, as the Americans finished fourth overall.[38][39] During the 2009–10 season he was mentioned as a candidate to join the American team at the2010 Winter Olympics inVancouver, but a wrist and thumb injury led to a decrease in performance and he was ultimately not selected.[20] He was invited to join the American team at the2010 IIHF World Championship, but declined in order to heal his injuries.[23]
Bogosian was born to Ike and Vicky Bogosian[40] inMassena, New York, a town of 13,000 adjacent to theSaint Lawrence River.[41] Zach is the first NHL player ofArmenian descent;[42][43] his great-grandfather, Stephen Bogosian, leftWestern Armenia in 1923 at the age of 16 as a result of theArmenian genocide.[44][45][46] Zach's father Ike was an athlete when he was younger, playing college football withSyracuse University from 1979 to 1981.[44][45] In his senior season at Syracuse Ike was co-captain of the team with futureNew York Giantsrunning backJoe Morris. He currently runs a carpet and floor cleaning business with his brother in Massena.[47] Vicky works as a hairdresser.[48] Zach has two older brothers, Ike Jr. and Aaron. Aaron was also a professional ice hockey player who attendedSt. Lawrence University where he played four seasons with theSaints and served as team captain.[49] Aaron most recently played in theECHL with theFlorida Everblades.[50]
Bogosian joined the Massena Minor Hockey Association when he was 3, staying in the program until he was 14, when he left for Cushing Academy.[51] Bogosian first began to play defense at the Squirt level (under-10); though he was smaller than most of his peers, he was a good skater. He alternated betweenforward and defense throughout minor hockey. When he began attending Cushing Academy he was a forward the first year, before he converted to a defender full-time.[52] After leaving the school and moving to Canada with two years of high school to complete, Bogosian took courses on the internet.[citation needed]
Bogosian is married toBoston Breakers and formerUnited States women's national under-23 soccer teammidfielderBianca D'Agostino.[53] The pair married in August 2015. They met in Winnipeg.[54] The couple has four children.[55]
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2004–05 | Cushing Academy | HS-MA | 34 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Cushing Academy | HS-MA | 36 | 1 | 16 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Peterborough Petes | OHL | 67 | 7 | 26 | 33 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Peterborough Petes | OHL | 60 | 11 | 50 | 61 | 72 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | ||
| 2008–09 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 47 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Chicago Wolves | AHL | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 81 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 71 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 65 | 5 | 25 | 30 | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 33 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013–14 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 55 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Winnipeg Jets | NHL | 41 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 21 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 64 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 68 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2016–17 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 56 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 65 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 19 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | ||
| 2020–21 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NHL | 45 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 49 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 48 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 53 | 22 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 2022–23 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 46 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 42 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | ||
| 2023–24 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 61 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 848 | 60 | 167 | 227 | 778 | 54 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 23 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | United States | WC | 4th | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Senior totals | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| OHL | ||
| Second All-Rookie Team | 2007 | |
| CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game | 2008 | |
| First All-Star Team | 2008 | |
| NHL | ||
| Stanley Cup champion | 2020 | [56] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Atlanta Thrashers first round draft pick 2008 | Succeeded by |