The Michigan Ice Dogs have announced that goaltender Chris Boyd will join teammate Joe Russo at Indiana Tech University for the 2015-16 ACHA season.

Boyd just wrapped up his second season in the MWJHL and first with the Ice Dogs. The 1994-born native of Chelsea, Mich., went 5-17-3 with a 4.42 GAA and a .897 save percentage.

Playing the 2013-14 season outside of the MWJHL is where Boyd first took note of the Indiana Tech program.

“I played in Fort Wayne last year and heard throughout the year that they were starting up a hockey program (at Indiana Tech),” Boyd said. “Several of my teammates expressed interest in it, so I tried to find out more. Playing two years in the M-Dub has helped me develop quite a bit as a player and a person. I'm looking forward to playing with guys that were on my first team as well as a few guys I played with last year.”

Being the No. 1 goalie for the Ice Dogs helped develop his overall game, even if the stats may be misleading.

“This season meant a lot to my development,” said Boyd. “I had been in juniors two years and it was time to put things together. It was tough to get the outcomes we wanted for most of the year, but night in and night out, I put everything I had out there and I think it showed. Seeing a lot of shots most certainly helped keep me on my toes at all times. Unfortunately, you can't stop every one.”

During the 2012-13 MWJHL season, Boyd was 10-5-0 with a 2.79 GAA, a .888 save percentage and one shutout with Tennyson Chevrolet.

This past year with the Ice Dogs, Boyd proved to be a workhorse in goal.

“Chris was our most valuable player this season,” Ice Dogs’ head coach Kyle Lang said. “When I accepted the Ice Dogs job last spring, he was one of the first players I made a point to contact. The best way to describe Chris is as a team guy – he will do whatever it takes to help his team win games. I think Chris will fit right in at Indiana Tech. He already knows quite a few guys at the school from past teams and I know he'll go in and challenge the other goalies who are already there. I've known Chris since his senior year of high school and I've really enjoyed seeing him grow on and off the ice.”

Lang also alluded to the family atmosphere that Boyd brought to Farmington Hills last season.

“Chris' mom, Sherrie, has worked with my teams the last three years as our trainer and all the boys still refer to her as ‘Mom,’” explained Lang. “She's definitely the best in the league and it's been a pleasure to have her around as well. I think Chris matured a lot this season and did a great job of taking on a leadership role. I know myself, our staff, and the boys returning are going to miss ‘Boyder.’”

And once Boyd sets foot on the Indiana Tech campus, it’ll be all business as he competes for a roster spot with the Warriors.

“I'm just looking to do my part and stop the puck whenever I'm called upon, as well as supporting my teammates and the goalies in front of me,” Boyd said.