Paul Boutilier, a defenseman who played five seasons with the 1980s Islanders and helped the team win a Stanley Cup, has died, the NHL Alumni Association confirmed Thursday.
Boutilier was 63 years old. No cause of death was announced.
“We send our deepest condolences to Paul’s family, friends, and former teammates during this incredibly difficult time,” the NHL Alumni Association said in a statement.
Boutilier’s career in the NHL spanned parts of nine seasons, playing for the Islanders organization from 1981-86. He would make stops with the Bruins, North Stars, Rangers and Jets.
He played a small role with the Islanders during their final championship of the dynasty era, appearing in 29 regular-season games in the 1982-83 season and playing in two postseason contests, which earned him the right to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Boutilier played junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Castors in 1980 and was taken by the Islanders in the first round of the 1981 NHL Draft.
He made his NHL debut on Halloween 1981 and scored his first NHL a little more than a year later on Nov. 18, 1982, at Nassau Coliseum against the Bruins.
Boutilier split time between the QMJHL and the NHL during the 1982-83 season and then played for the Islanders and the CHL’s Indianapolis Checkers during the 1983-84 campaign.
He played 213 regular-season games with the Islanders during his career, along with another 36 appearances in the playoffs for the Isles.
Ron Greschner (center) who tries to sneak the puck past goalie
Kelly Hrudey during a November 1985 game. Getty Images
During the 1986-87 season, Boutilier played for the Bruins, North Stars and the Rangers, lacing up his skates in four games with the Blueshirts.
Boutilier represented Canada on a number of occasions and won gold during the 1982 World Junior Championship.
After he finished his playing career, Boutilier moved into coaching, where he served as an assistant coach for Saint Mary’s University in Canada.
He served in the role from 1991-93 and then was promoted to head coach, remaining in that position until 1997.
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