- NHL Alumni Association confirmed former defenseman Paul Boutilier passed away at 63
- Boutilier won a Stanley Cup ring with the 1983 New York Islanders
- Read below for a look back at Boutilier’s NHL career and post-playing coaching legacy
The NHL Alumni Association confirmed Thursday that former defenseman Paul Boutilier has passed away at the age of 63.
Boutilier suited up for five different NHL franchises across the 1980s, but he’ll be remembered most for his time with the New York Islanders, where he won the Stanley Cup as a rookie in 1983.
Here’s a look back at the Islanders capping off their fourth straight title that spring:
The Sydney, Nova Scotia native was selected 21st overall by the Islanders in the 1981 NHL Draft, going one slot ahead of future Hall of Famer Chris Chelios and longtime NHL goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. He split his first pro campaign between New York and the CHL’s Indianapolis Checkers, getting into two playoff games for the eventual champions.
That 1983 title was the last Cup the Islanders franchise has ever won. They swept Wayne Gretzky’s Edmonton Oilers in the Final to lock down their fourth straight championship and close out one of the great dynasties in NHL history.
The young defenseman became a regular on New York’s blue line starting in 1984-85, when he posted a career-best 35 points. Boutilier finished as the team’s third-highest scoring blueliner that year, sitting behind Hall of Famer Denis Potvin and Tomas Jonsson.
His career then took him through Boston, Minnesota, the Rangers, and Winnipeg before he wrapped up his pro playing days with SC Bern of the Swiss league. Boutilier finished his NHL run with 27 goals and 110 points across 288 games.
After hanging up his skates, the Cup champion moved into coaching. Boutilier spent years as an assistant at St. Mary’s University and Dalhousie University in Halifax, did a stint as a development coach with the Nashville Predators, and most recently worked with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts and Moncton Wildcats this past season.
We at Gino Hard send our condolences to Boutilier’s family, friends, and the hockey community in Nova Scotia and beyond.
