Brock Boeser appears to be OK.
The Vancouver Canucks forward returned to the ice on Wednesday after suffering a fracture in his back on March 5 that cut short his first full season in the NHL. Boeser had been a revelation prior to the injury, racking up 29 goals and 26 assists in 62 games during the 2017-18 regular season.
With the injury behind him, Boeser was named captain of a team in Da Beauty League. The Minnesota-based summer circuit consists of six teams filled with current pros and college players, with the 4-on-4 format creating the kind of wide-open play that favours a player like Boeser.
On Wednesday, Boeser's "Team BIC" took the opening game 6-4, with the 21-year-old notching a hat trick.
His first of the night came on a breakaway, with Boeser rifling the puck into the top left corner of the net.
Brock Boeser with his first goal in a few months! @Canucks @UNDmhockey pic.twitter.com/GVi8Ugl8C6
— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 11, 2018
Boeser followed that up with a wrist shot through the legs of an opponent that fooled the opposing goaltender.
Brock Boeser scores his second! @BBoeser16 @Canucks @UNDmhockey pic.twitter.com/zDBEsE2tSm
— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 11, 2018
He completed his hat trick with a hard one-timer from the slot.
Brock Boesser 🎩 hat trick!! @BBoeser16 @Canucks @UNDmhockey pic.twitter.com/QNFW0WvYmp
— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) July 11, 2018
Boeser and Team BIC will play seven more games before the league's playoffs, which take place in mid-August.