Billy Boucher


William Martin Boucher was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Boucher played in the National Hockey League and was a member of the 1924 champion Montreal Canadiens. His brothers Bobby, Frank and Georges were also professional ice hockey players and all four were members of Stanley Cup championship teams.

Playing career

He played in the National Hockey League for the Hamilton Tigers, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and New York Americans. He also played for the New Haven Eagles and Bronx Tigers of the Canadian-American Hockey League. Boucher signed with the Canadiens in 1921, and scored 17 goals in his rookie season. Boucher scored 24 goals in 24 games in his second season. In his third season, 1923–24 Boucher was placed on a line with rookie Howie Morenz and Aurele Joliat in a high-scoring trio. Boucher led the Canadiens in scoring, and runner-up in the league. The team defeated defending champion Ottawa in the NHA playoffs and the Calgary Tigers in the Stanley Cup Final. When the team played its first game in the Montreal Forum in November 1924, Boucher scored the first goal in the facility, and the first hat trick. In the 1926–27 season, Boucher was loaned to the Boston Bruins before being traded to the New York Americans, where he finished his NHL career.

Personal life

Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Billy was one of six sons born to Tom Boucher and Annie Carroll: Billy, Bobby, Carroll, Frank, George and Joseph and two sisters, Irene and Lily. His paternal grandfather, Antoine Boucher was French while his other grandparents were of Irish descent. Tom Boucher played rugby football, winning the Canadian championship in 1894, 1896, 1897 and 1901 with teams in Ottawa. Boucher attended St. Joseph's Separate School in Ottawa. Boucher married Theresa Payette in 1921. They had two sons: E. William and Robert J., and daughter June.
After finishing with hockey, Boucher returned to Ottawa and worked for the Defence Department of the Canadian government. Boucher died of a heart attack on his 59th birthday, November 10, 1958. Boucher was buried in Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa.