Brian Boucher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brian Boucher |
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Boucher with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2011
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| Born | January 2, 1977 Woonsocket, Rhode Island, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | Philadelphia Flyers Phoenix Coyotes HV71 Calgary Flames Chicago Blackhawks Columbus Blue Jackets San Jose Sharks Carolina Hurricanes EV Zug |
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| National team |  United States |
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| NHL Draft | 22nd overall, 1995 Philadelphia Flyers |
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| Playing career | 1997–2013 | ||
Brian Boucher (pronounced boo-SHAY; born January 2, 1977) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender (the player who guards the net). He played for 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). After retiring from playing, he became a game analyst for national TNT games and also for Philadelphia Flyers games on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Brian Boucher was known for his strong play in goal. He once led the NHL in goals against average (GAA) during the 1999–2000 season. This means he let in the fewest goals per game. He also holds an amazing NHL record for the longest shutout streak. A shutout is when a goalie doesn't let any goals in. He kept opponents from scoring for 332 minutes and 1 second! That's like five and a half games without letting a single puck past him. He set this record while playing for the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2003–04 season.
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Brian Boucher's Hockey Journey
Starting with the Philadelphia Flyers
Brian Boucher was picked by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He joined the Flyers for the 1999–2000 season. He quickly became the team's main goalie. That year, he helped the Flyers win their division and conference titles. He also led the entire NHL with a 1.91 goals against average.
In the 2000 playoffs, he helped his team reach the Eastern Conference Finals. He had some unforgettable moments, like a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins that went into five overtimes! He also made an incredible save against Patrik Eliáš of the New Jersey Devils. This save became so famous that other goalies started calling amazing saves a "Boosh." Even though the Flyers were ahead in the series, they eventually lost to the Devils in seven games. The Devils went on to win the Stanley Cup that year.
Moving to Phoenix and His Big Shutout Streak
In 2002, Boucher was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes. It was with the Coyotes that he made history in the 2003–04 season. He set a new modern NHL record for the longest shutout streak. He didn't allow any goals for 332 minutes and 1 second! This incredible streak lasted over five full games. Later, in 2006, he was traded to the Calgary Flames.
Playing for Chicago and Columbus
Boucher started the 2006–07 season with the Chicago Blackhawks. In February 2007, he was picked up by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He even had to wear a teammate's jersey number for his first game because he arrived so quickly! His first game with the Blue Jackets was a 4–3 win against his old team, Phoenix.
Time with the San Jose Sharks
In 2007, Boucher signed a contract with the Philadelphia Phantoms, which was the Flyers' minor league team. He played there for a while before signing with the San Jose Sharks in February 2008.
He really liked playing for the Sharks and signed another contract with them in 2008. He started the 2008–09 season with two straight shutouts in his first two games!
Coming Back to Philadelphia
In 2009, Boucher returned to the Philadelphia Flyers. He was meant to be the backup goalie. However, when the main goalie got injured, Boucher had to step up. Then, Boucher himself got a hand injury, and another goalie, Michael Leighton, took his place. The Flyers had a lot of goalie changes that season due to injuries.
Near the end of the 2009–10 season, Boucher was back in the spotlight. He helped the Flyers make it to the playoffs with a big win in the final game. In the 2010 playoffs, Boucher played incredibly well. He helped the Flyers beat the New Jersey Devils in the first round. Many people in the media were surprised by how well he played. The Flyers then made an amazing comeback against the Boston Bruins, winning after being down three games to none. Boucher got injured during that series but returned to be a backup in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers eventually lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.
In the 2010–11 season, Boucher shared goalie duties with a new rookie. He even made NHL history by getting two wins in a playoff series when coming into the game as a relief goalie. This means he came in during a game when the starting goalie was struggling and helped his team win.
Carolina Hurricanes and Another Flyers Return
After the Flyers got a new main goalie, Boucher signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2011. He played as a backup there until his season ended early due to an injury.
In 2013, Boucher came back to the Flyers organization for a fourth time. He was traded to Philadelphia and then sent to their minor league team, the Adirondack Phantoms. He was recalled to the Flyers for a few games when another goalie got injured.
Life After Playing: Broadcasting
After retiring from playing hockey in 2013, Brian Boucher started a new career in broadcasting. He became a studio analyst for the Philadelphia Flyers' TV shows on NBC Sports Philadelphia. He also worked as a commentator for some games.
In 2015, he joined NBC Sports as a reporter who stands "Inside the Glass" during games. He also worked as a studio analyst. He often worked with the main broadcast team for big games.
Boucher also worked as an analyst for NHL Network. After NBC's hockey coverage ended, he joined ESPN/ABC for their NHL games. He was a co-lead commentator, explaining the game alongside other experts.
Before the 2023–24 season, Boucher moved to TNT. He reunited with some of his former NBC Sports colleagues and became the new lead ice-level analyst. This means he's down by the ice during games, giving insights.
Brian Boucher's Family Life
Brian Boucher is married to Melissa, and they have a son and a daughter. His older brother, Bruce, sadly passed away in 2014. Brian's son, Tyler, is also a hockey player. He plays as a left winger for the Ottawa 67's and was picked in the first round of the 2021 NHL draft by the Ottawa Senators. Brian Boucher went to Mount St. Charles Academy and played junior hockey for the Tri-City Americans.
Cool Achievements
- Modern NHL record for five straight shutouts in 2003–04.
Awards and Honors
WHL (Junior League)
- 1995–96 – Second All-Star team
- 1996–97 – First All-Star team
- 1996–97 – Del Wilson Trophy (WHL Goaltender of the Year)
International Play
- 1997 – All-Star Selection at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships
AHL (Minor League)
- 1998 – Calder Cup champion with the Philadelphia Phantoms
NHL (Professional League)
- 1999–2000 – NHL All-Rookie Team (one of the best new players)
- 1999–2000 – GAA leader (1.91)
- Player of the Week (October 29, 2001 – November 4, 2001)
