Guelph Storm forward Tyler Boston has decided to walk away from hockey.
Boston, 18, said in an Instagram post Tuesday that he has decided to turn his focus to education and future career goals.
The Newmarket, Ont., native is tied for second in scoring on the lowly Storm this season, who sit in last place in the OHL with a 3-27-2 record. Boston told the Guelph Mercury‘s Tony Saxon that his decision had nothing to do with Guelph’s struggles this season, but rather to improve his marks for the program he is hoping to attend at the University of Western Ontario.
“The team could be on a Memorial Cup run. They could be undefeated. It’s just a timing thing for me,” Boston said.
“It’s personal. It has nothing to do with the organization, they’ve treated me first-class. (General manager) Mike Kelly has been nothing but great to me. That’s why it’s so tough.”
Boston also said he understands the odds are against him after going undrafted in the 2015 NHL draft and that he has no interest in trying to carve out a minor-league career.
“Undrafted, the chances of becoming a pro hockey player were becoming slimmer and I’d rather not be a life-long player in the minor leagues. No offence to those that are, but that wasn’t for me,” Boston told the Mercury.
Boston finished his major junior career with 16 goals and 24 assists in 88 games with Guelph.