Zach Bogosian

In 2004, Bogosian entered high school at Cushing Academy, a prep school in Massachusetts. The assistant coach of the school's hockey team was Ray Bourque, a former NHL defenseman who was elected to the Hockey 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 2006 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Draft by the Peterborough Petes[3] Bogosian's decision to play in the OHL rather than go to the NCAA differed from most of his teammates, including his brother. As his father and uncle had also played college football in the NCAA, it was expected that Bogosian would follow them in going to university. He cited watching Ottawa 67's games at age nine as a major influence in deciding to play in Canada.[1]

Bogosian in February 2012.

Bogosian began playing for the Petes in the 2006–07 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] The next 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 the CHL Top Prospects Game, an all-star game of prospects from the three leagues in the Canadian 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 the Red 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 the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Bogosian was ranked by the NHL 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 the Atlanta Thrashers behind Steven Stamkos and Drew 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 manager Don 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]

Bogosian in October 2014.

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 the Washington Capitals. Bogosian became the youngest person to play for the Thrashers that night at 18 years and 87 days, surpassing Ilya Kovalchuk (18 years, 172 days). Twenty-four seconds into his first shift, Bogosian was called for a holding penalty,[15] while later in the contest, he had a fight with Capitals enforcer Donald Brashear.[16] Eight games into the season, however, on October 28, Bogosian broke his left leg in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Prior to rejoining the Thrashers, Bogosian was sent to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for conditioning. After playing five games with the Wolves, including scoring his first professional goal on January 3, 2009, against the Rockford 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, against Pekka Rinne of the Nashville 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 the 2009–10 season Bogosian was bothered by an injury. During a game against the Ottawa 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 the Phoenix 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 by Yannick Tremblay in 1999–2000, 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 the 2014–15 season, his seventh with the Thrashers/Jets franchise, Bogosian was traded alongside Evander Kane and the rights to Jason Kasdorf, to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, Brendan Lemieux, Joel Armia, and a conditional first-round pick (Jack Roslovic) in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[25]

On February 14, 2020, the Sabres placed Bogosian on waivers. After going unclaimed, he was assigned to the Rochester 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 the Columbus Blue Jackets.[30][31] On September 28, 2020, Bogosian won the Stanley Cup for the first time.

As a free agent, Bogosian signed a one year, $1 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 10, 2020.[32] In the 2020–21 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 the Montreal 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 to COVID-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]