Paul Boutilier

The Sydney native’s pro hockey roots date back to 1981 when he was drafted in the 1st round, 21^st overall by the New York Islanders. But before making the jump to the big league, Boutilier grew up playing hockey at rinks across Nova Scotia. It was there that he caught the attention of junior hockey scouts.

During his junior hockey career, Boutilier was a standout with the Sherbrooke Castors of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. During the 1981-82 season, he racked up an impressive 80 points (20 goals, 60 assists) from the blue line in just 57 games. Boutilier also scored 38 points in 21 playoff games and helped the Castors capture the QMJHL title and a berth in the Memorial Cup. While the Castors finished second in the tournament, Boutilier was named to the all-star team on defence along with fellow Nova Scotian Al McInnis. He was also named a first team all-star by the QMJHL, and won the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the QMJHL’s Best Defenseman.

His strong play earned him a spot on Canada’s 1982 World Junior team. It was the first time Hockey Canada sent a national team to the tournament and they did not disappoint. Boutilier helped lead the team to a 6-0-1 record and a first ever Canadian World Junior gold medal. From there, it was on to the NHL.

Boutilier played the last half of the 1983 season with the New York Islanders who won the Stanley Cup that year with his 1st goal against Hall of Fame goalie Grant Fuhr, resulting in Boutilier’s name being inscribed on hockey’s holy grail.  
 
The next season his New York Islander won the eastern division and played the final against the Wayne Gretzky lead Edmonton Oilers - it was the 1st Cup in a run of Cups for the Oilers talented group. 

The defenseman would go on to play 329 regular season & playoff games in the NHL with 28 goals, 92 assists for 120 points along with 403 penalty minutes!

Boutilier retired in 1991 after spending 2 years playing in Switzerland with SC Bern and ZSC Zurich. After earning a business degree from Saint Marys University and an MBA in IT Management from Athabasca University in Alberta, he  has gone on to a successful career working internationally with the Canadian Government in Vietnam, and now as a professor of international business at UPEI Business School.

Never one to stray too far from the game, Boutilier is currently the head of defence player development for the Nashville Predators and the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.