Paul Boutilier, a player from Al Arbour’s Stanley Cup winning Islanders team, has passed away at the age of 63. His life in hockey went far beyond just one championship.
The NHL Alumni Association confirmed his death on Thursday, sharing the news about the former NHL defenseman.
They did not provide details on how he died.
Boutilier started his career with the New York Islanders after being picked in the first round, 21st overall, in the 1981 draft.
He came from the Sherbrooke Castors in the QMJHL and joined a team that was still in the midst of winning championships.
He made his first appearance in the NHL later during the 1981-82 season and played enough the following year to be recognized as part of the Islanders’ 1983 Stanley Cup team.
That moment stands out as the highlight of his playing days.
After that, Boutilier did not stay with any team for very long.
Over his 8 seasons in the NHL, he played for the Islanders, Bruins, North Stars, Rangers, and Jets, which was a common journey for many defensemen during that time.
In 288 regular-season games, he scored 27 goals and provided 83 assists for a total of 110 points.
He also contributed 10 points in 41 playoff games, making his overall performance quite impressive along with his Stanley Cup ring.
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