Former National Hockey League defenseman Paul Boutilier of Sydney, Nova Scotia passed away on Thursday at the age of 63 according to Richard Woodbury of CBC News. Boutilier played eight seasons in the NHL with five different franchises. He was with the New York Islanders for five seasons from 1981 to 1986, the Boston Bruins for one season in 1986-87, the Minnesota North Stars for one season in 1986-87, the New York Rangers for one season in 1987, and the Winnipeg Jets for two seasons from 1987 to 1989.
Boutilier won the Stanley Cup in his career. He was part of the Islanders team that won hockey’s biggest prize in 1983. The Islanders swept the Edmonton Oilers four games to none. In the 1983 Stanley Cup postseason, Boutilier had two shots on goal and a minor penalty in two games.
Originally selected in the first round, 21st overall by the Islanders in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Boutilier played 288 regular season games. He had 27 goals and 83 assists for 110 points. Boutilier was a +1 with 358 penalty minutes, 33 power-play points, two shorthanded points, four game-winning goals, and 447 shots on goal.
After retiring from hockey, Boutilier got involved in curling. He was the president of the World Curling Players Association and executive director of the World Curling Tour. In 1994, Boutilier was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame.
