For the first time since the 2018-2019 season, Guy Boucher has landed a job in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Thursday his hiring as an assistant coach.
The Quebecer is a well-known figure in hockey in the province, he who led the Montreal Canadiens’ school club, the Hamilton Bulldogs, for a season, before getting his chance in the Bettman circuit.
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Boucher was head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2010 to 2013, then of the Ottawa Senators from 2016 to 2019. His record includes two appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The passage in the NHL of the native of Notre-Dame-du-Lac was interspersed with a stay in Switzerland as pilot of SC Bern. Before beginning his professional career, the 51-year-old also led the Drummondville Voltigeurs to win a Presidents’ Trophy in 2008-2009.
Former defenseman Mike Van Ryn was also hired by the Leafs as an assistant to Sheldon Keefe.
“One of my goals every off-season is to assemble the best group of coaches possible to give us the best chance of success,” the head coach said in a statement. I am happy to add experienced and accomplished coaches like Guy and Mike, and to see shared roles and responsibilities within our staff.”