Storm forward Boston walks away from hockey

Boston played 88 games with Guelph in the OHL. (Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

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.

Sometimes in life, we have to make tough decisions. This by far is one of the toughest decisions I've had to make in my entire life. I've decided it is now time to step away from the sport that I have loved for over 14 years. The time has come to focus on my education and future career goals . This decision has no reflection on the Guelph Storm organization as they have treated me with extreme class over the past 2+ years. I would like to thank Mike Kelly, the Storm ownership group, coaches, trainers, equipment managers and most importantly my teammates for making my time in Guelph, some of the best times of my life. A special thank you goes out to my billet family who has treated me as one of there own for the past year and a half. I have no regrets just great memories. Thank you to my family for supporting me during my whole career you guys are the absolute best. Excited for the next chapter in my life!

A photo posted by Tyler Boston (@_tylerboston) on

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.

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