A former NHLer and North Bay Trappers star Randy Boyd has passed away at the age of 59.
The Coniston native made the most of his one season with the North Bay Trappers where the defenceman netted 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points in 42 games for the local OPJAHL squad.
That spring he was later selected in the first round, 5th overall in the 1979 OHA Major Junior Draft by the Ottawa 67's.
Boyd joined the 67’s as a 17-year-old for the 1979-80 season. He appeared in 65 games during his rookie campaign, scoring three goals and adding 21 assists, for 24 points.
Boyd’s success during his first year with Ottawa didn’t go unnoticed, as he was selected in the third round, 51st overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He followed that up by returning to the 67’s, and posting career-bests of 11 goals and 43 assists, for 54 points in 64 games.
The 1981-82 season saw Boyd play 26 games with the 67’s, tallying nine goals and 29 assists for 38 points, before moving on to professional hockey full time. All told, he went on to appear in 257 NHL games, with the Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, and Vancouver Canucks, respectively. Boyd scored 20 goals and 67 assists for 87 points during his nine-year NHL career. He also made stops in the American Hockey League, and in Austria, as well as the International Hockey League, Central Hockey League, and Roller Hockey International.
Upon the conclusion of his playing career, Boyd settled in Marietta, Georgia, and was often seen volunteering his time with the Atlanta Fire youth hockey program.
Boyd is survived by his ex-wife, Kathleen, and three children; Connor, Brendan, and Taylor.
"The entire 67’s organization would like to express their sincerest condolences to Boyd’s loved ones, and are keeping our thoughts with them during this difficult time," the Ottawa 67's stated on their website.
