Dustin Boyd was a junior star with the Moose Jaw Warriors who rose to national and international fame by starring for Canada at the 2006 World Junior championships, winning gold. The Calgary Flames were happy to grab him with the 98th overall in 2004.
Boyd was described as an industrious playmaker and agile skater, deceptively fast thanks to his bent over stride. He was a natural center though he was tried as a winger in Calgary, as his development stalled. He lacked upper body strength and defensive positioning to retain a full time role with the Flames.
Though he played two full seasons in Calgary, Boyd was moved to Nashville late in the 2009-10 season. The Predators weren't impressed enough to offer him a qualifying offer. He joined the Montreal Canadiens for the 2009-10 season, playing almost exclusively in the minor leagues, before heading off to Europe to chase pucks.
Boyd, along with former NHLers Nigel Dawes and later Brandon Bochenski, ended up in Kazakhstan, playing for Barys Astana. For Boyd his hockey dream stays alive, while enjoying some semblance of security by fringe NHLer terms. The toughest part had to be his wife and infant twins remaining home in Winnipeg.
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