The ability to keep an open mind, having faith, recognizing signs, being a good teammate and overall upstanding citizen are all special qualities that embody former professional hockey player Tim Boyle.  After a hockey journey that included stops in several different leagues as well as a period of uncertainty after suffering a string of career threatening injuries, the story of how Boyle transitioned into a role perfectly suited for him with a shoe company, OOfos, is nothing short of remarkable.

Boyle grew up in Hingham, Massachusetts as child number 11 of 13, and even at a young age began to experience phenomena in life that sometimes can’t be explained.  In 1999, when he was 6-years old, his Father, Artie, was diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma cancer and given 6 months to live.  Having always had a strong faith, Artie went on a healing journey trip with 2 of his best friends, Rob Griffin and Kevin Gill, to visit Medjugorje where millions have visited since six people allegedly saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1981.  Upon his return and next check-in with the doctors, he was miraculously told that every cancer cell in his body had vanished. He has since devoted himself to several community and charitable causes, including raising money for inner city schools in Massachusetts. It was only last year when he was told the cancer had returned.

Tim’s older brother, Brian, who has enjoyed a 12-year professional hockey career primarily spent in the NHL, earned the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy in 2018 awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey after undergoing treatment for a form of bone marrow cancer which is now in remission.  Brian Boyle made a successful return to the NHL and is helping to raise awareness and give back to the community as a proud Ambassador for the NHL-NHLPA Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.

Tim Boyle’s family, including his parents, siblings, and 23 nieces and nephews has helped foster a great community and support system, and has served as an inspiration.  “I went to all of Brian’s games during his four years at Boston College and wore his jersey every chance I could,” said Tim.

Boyle was a promising hockey talent in his own right and attended a prep school, Noble and Greenough, known for its academics, for two seasons where he amassed 28 points in 27 games in his first year playing for the school’s varsity hockey team.  After the following season, 2011-12 which he split between Noble & Greenough and the Cape Cod Whalers Under 18 team, his desire to follow in his older brother’s footsteps became one step closer to reality when he was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.  Two of his Noble & Greenough teammates, Adam Gilmour & Chris Calnan were also selected in the same NHL draft which made the occasion that much more special. 

After taking part in the Senators’ Rookie Camps, Boyle, who was also considering playing college golf, played for Union College in 2012-13 where he helped the team capture the NCAA (ECAC) Championship.  He spent the next year with the South Shore Kings of the USPHL, then transferred to Endicott College in 2014-15 where he recorded 11 points in 18 games.  

Then with the help of his agent, Boyle received a try-out with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL.  “I did well in the pre-season with Wichita, was the second star in one of our pre-season games, but was assigned to the Mississippi RiverKings in the SPHL.  The next year I bounced around some ECHL teams including Norfolk, Greenville, and Wheeling when one game I collided with another player on a freak play in open ice and really injured my back.  That flight home was a nightmare and it took me six months to a year to begin feeling normal again.” 

Boyle did return the following season, however his back went out again while playing for Adirondack.  After fighting through chronic pain for three to four months while on loan to Reading, he met with his coach and told him he just wasn’t feeling well enough to play anymore.  “It was a difficult conversation to have.  The coaching staff convinced me to stick around for the rest of the season because they liked that I was a character guy, and a team leader and thought I could help the team.  So I stayed, but was still in a lot of pain.”

Once the season was over, Boyle went home and spent the next two months at the beach trying to recover.  “I returned home feeling terrible.  I thought about returning to hockey the next season but in my heart I knew it probably wasn’t the best decision.  In the meantime, my Dad sent me a pair of recovery shoes from a local Massachusetts company called OOfos, which he thought could help with my therapy.  They would change my life.  These shoes are amazing and I couldn’t believe how much better my back felt.  I was actually back skating in two weeks.” 

To show his appreciation, Boyle took it upon himself to personally call the company to let them know how much their shoes had helped him.  He spoke to Brand Leader, Duncan Finigan, who after hearing his story asked Boyle to meet with OOfos CEO, Steve Gallo in person at his office along with some other staff.  Eventually, that meeting led to Boyle being offered a full-time job with OOfos in a OOtech sales role.  OOfos was looking to break into hockey and knew Boyle could help by spreading the word among other pro hockey players about his own first hand experience. 

“It was an amazing opportunity.  My Dad had a career in sales and was something I had always had an interest in.  I was living proof that the product worked, had a team mentality, was known as a great locker room guy, and that really helped me transition well to the role.”

Although he didn’t require any surgeries throughout his career, he discussed his options with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) and believes the PHPA Alumni Network will truly help players through the mentorship and support it provides.

“The PHPA is so good at informing players as to what’s going on or about their programs, whether during the Fall Enrollment meetings, or through the team Player Reps.  However, the Alumni Network will not only help mentor and support former players, but will help current guys as well who may be too timid to ask questions to older teammates or who may need advice from someone who has been out of the game for a couple years.  Former players may be easier to talk to at times and the Alumni Network provides that level of support.”

Since retiring from hockey, Boyle is thriving at OOfos and is thoroughly enjoying the opportunity and organizational culture.  “It feels natural speaking to people and I think my hockey background has really helped bring that out of me. It’s like a team or even a family when we’re selling.  Working here has a real locker room type feel and I’ve jumped right in.”

Where similar products may retail for over $300 OOfos shoes sell for around $60.  Boyle believes in the product which is evident in how he sells the product.  “Quite frankly these shoes saved my life, and got me back on my feet.  I’ve really enjoyed working here because the product sells itself, I’ve been able to travel and see different parts of the country, as well as the locker room feel of ‘making you feel better’.  That’s the belief throughout the company, and management is always enforcing that.”

Having only left his on-ice career just over a year ago, Boyle is open to sharing his experience with players and offering advice to others who may be in a similar situation.  “Getting yourself out there and not being afraid of change.  That’s a huge part of it.  Sometimes the only thing hockey players know is hockey.  That’s all they’ve done for a long time.  I didn’t know what I wanted to do and felt lost after last season.  But I prayed, kept faith, and although one day I’d like to be more involved with hockey, when you see a sign, take it.”