Islanders place Johnny Boychuk on IR with upper body injury

Watch as Islanders defencemen Johnny Boychuk tries to hit Sabres centre Jack Eichel, but slips and slams hard into the boards.

The New York Islanders have placed Johnny Boychuk on injured reserve, the team announced Friday morning.

Boychuk suffered an upper body injury during the Islanders’ New Year’s Eve clash against the Buffalo Sabres when he slammed awkwardly into the boards in an attempt to hit Sabres rookie Jack Eichel. He was slow to get up, and left the ice immediately.

There is no timeline indicated for the defenceman’s recovery. He will be seeing team doctors next week.

Boychuk, 31, has three goals and 11 assists in 38 games with the Islanders this season.

The Islanders also announced the recalling of 21-year-old blue-liner Adam Pelech from the team’s AHL affiliate Bridgeport.

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