Brian Boucher : biography
In the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, Boucher beat Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils in the first round by a margin of 4–1. The national media remarked that he was the surprise of the playoffs after the first round with his outstanding play in net. The Flyers defeated the Boston Bruins in the second round by overcoming an 0-3 game deficit, but Boucher was injured in Game 5 of that series with knee injuries. Boucher returned from his injuries to serve as a backup to Michael Leighton in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks. He saw game action in Game 1 and Game 5 in relief of Leighton, but the Flyers lost in 6 games to the Blackhawks.
In the 2010–11 season, he split time in goal with standout rookie Sergei Bobrovsky after Leighton was demoted to the AHL, in part for hiding an injury. Bobrovsky started most of the games, and was named the Flyers playoff starter. After game 2 of the conference quarterfinals against the Buffalo Sabres, in which Boucher relieved Bobrovsky, and earned the win, Boucher started the next three games, but was pulled in Game 5 for Leighton, who was called up as a 3rd goaltender. Leighton played well, but lost Game 5 in overtime, nonetheless earning the start for Game 6. However, in Game 6, Leighton allowed 3 goals in the opening period, but once again Boucher was able to earn the win in relief, making Boucher became the only goaltender in NHL history to record two wins in a playoff series when coming in relief. Boucher went on to start Game 7, as the Flyers defeated Buffalo. Boucher started the first 3 games in the next round against Boston, but played poorly, allowing for the deposed starter Bobrovsky to return in Game 4, as the Flyers were swept.
Carolina Hurricanes
After the Flyers acquired goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov and decided to keep Bobrovsky as backup, Boucher was the odd man out. On July 1, 2011, Boucher was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes to a two-year deal worth $950,000 per season. He played sparingly as the backup to Cam Ward, and his season ended early due to injury.
Back to the Flyers
On January 13, 2013, after the end of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Boucher began his fourth stint in the Flyers’ organization when he and defenseman Mark Alt were traded from Carolina to Philadelphia in exchange for Luke Pither.http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=650126 Three days later, Boucher was waived and sent down to Adirondack, the new home of the AHL Phantoms. Boucher was named the team’s starting goaltender, relegating previous starter Scott Munroe to backup duty and sending Phantoms backup Cal Heeter to the Trenton Titans, the Flyers’ ECHL affiliate. On February 10, 2013, Boucher was recalled by the Flyers, after Michael Leighton suffered a lower body injury. Boucher was sent back down to Adirondack on March 9, 2013, after Leighton returned to health.
Career statistics
Regular season
Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1993–94 | Mount St. Charles Mounties | RIIL | 15 | 14 | 0 | 1 | — | 504 | 8 | 9 | 0.57 | |
1994–95 | Wexford Raiders | MTJHL | 8 | — | 425 | 23 | 0 | 3.25 | ||||
1994–95 | Tri-City Americans | WHL | 35 | 17 | 11 | 2 | — | 1969 | 108 | 1 | 3.29 | |
1995–96 | Tri-City Americans | WHL | 55 | 33 | 19 | 2 | — | 3183 | 181 | 1 | 3.41 | .913 |
1996–97 | Tri-City Americans | WHL | 41 | 10 | 24 | 6 | — | 2458 | 149 | 1 | 3.64 | .901 |
1997–98 | Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 34 | 16 | 12 | 3 | — | 1901 | 101 | 0 | 3.19 | .888 |
1998–99 | Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 36 | 20 | 8 | 5 | — | 2061 | 89 | 2 | 2.59 | .911 |
1999–00 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 35 | 20 | 10 | 3 | — | 2038 | 65 | 4 | 1.91 | .918 |
1999–00 | Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 65 | 3 | 0 | 2.77 | .903 |
2000–01 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 27 | 8 | 12 | 5 | — | 1470 | 80 | 1 | 3.27 | .876 |
2001–02 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 41 | 18 | 16 | 4 | — | 2295 | 92 | 2 | 2.41 | .905 |
2002–03 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 45 | 15 | 20 | 8 | — | 2544 | 128 | 0 | 3.02 | .894 |
2003–04 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 40 | 10 | 19 | 10 | — | 2364 | 108 | 5 | 2.74 | .906 |
2004–05 | HV71 | SEL | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 235 | 13 | 0 | 3.32 | .884 |
2005–06 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 11 | 3 | 6 | — | 0 | 512 | 33 | 0 | 3.87 | .877 |
2005–06 | San Antonio Rampage | AHL | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | 0 | 345 | 8 | 0 | 1.39 | .950 |
2005–06 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | 0 | 182 | 15 | 0 | 4.95 | .854 |
2006–07 | Chicago Blackhawks | NHL | 15 | 1 | 10 | — | 3 | 827 | 45 | 1 | 3.26 | .884 |
2006–07 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | 0 | 142 | 9 | 0 | 3.80 | .866 |
2007–08 | Philadelphia Phantoms | AHL | 42 | 23 | 16 | — | 1 | 2288 | 94 | 4 | 2.47 | .917 |
2007–08 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 5 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 238 | 7 | 1 | 1.76 | .932 |
2008–09 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 22 | 12 | 6 | — | 3 | 1291 | 47 | 2 | 2.18 | .917 |
2009–10 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 33 | 9 | 18 | — | 3 | 1742 | 80 | 1 | 2.76 | .899 |
2009–10 | Adirondack Phantoms | AHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 | .935 |
2010–11 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 34 | 18 | 10 | — | 4 | 1885 | 76 | 0 | 2.42 | .916 |
2011–12 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 10 | 1 | 6 | — | 1 | 546 | 31 | 0 | 3.41 | .881 |
2012–13 | Adirondack Phantoms | AHL | 16 | 6 | 8 | — | 1 | 910 | 39 | 0 | 2.57 | .905 |
2012–13 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 4 | 0 | 2 | — | 0 | 144 | 6 | 0 | 2.50 | .891 |
NHL totals | 328 | 120 | 139 | 30 | 15 | 18219 | 822 | 17 | 2.71 | .901 | ||
AHL totals | 136 | 68 | 47 | 9 | 2 | 7630 | 336 | 6 | 2.64 | .915 | ||
SEL totals | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 235 | 13 | 0 | 3.32 | .884 | ||
WHL totals | 131 | 60 | 54 | 10 | — | 7610 | 438 | 3 | 3.45 |