Tyler Boucher

August 2024 – Boucher made the jump to professional hockey this past season but was only able to suit up for 21 games in the AHL due to lingering injury problems. He remains a huge wildcard in the Ottawa Senators’ prospect pool. He scored just five points in Belleville in the 2023-24 season. The 21-year-old is approaching the time when it’s make-or-break for him in the Senators organization. This season will be huge for him; staying healthy is the most important metric for his development. He still has the potential to be a Tom Wilson-type player one day, but that day seems far away, and who knows if he’ll ever get there. Naftali Clinton

March 2023 – In what can only be described as a frustrating season for Boucher, his campaign ended early because of a shoulder injury. He ended up playing just 21 games for Ottawa in the OHL and six games in the WJC for the USA. He has managed 45 games over the past two seasons in the OHL and has 17 goals and 15 assists to show for it. Next season he will more than likely play in Belleville of the AHL for his first professional season. Grant Campbell

December 2022 – Boucher has made Team USA for the 2023 World Junior Championships. He has nine goals and six assists in 17 games with the Ottawa 67s in the OHL. He was suspended for six games for a hit and another two games for his role in a fight. He will need to curtail his style of play a little in the tournament if he hopes to help USA win gold. Grant Campbell

October 2022 – Boucher dressed for three games in the pre-season and went pointless before he was sent back to Ottawa of the OHL for this season. After watching him a few times, he has some work to do back in junior to improve but a full season should help. His paths to the puck will need to improve at higher levels, and his body position along the boards as well. He might get away with using his size and strength at lower levels, but he won’t get away with it in pro hockey. He needs some confidence back in his game. Grant Campbell

April 2022 – Boucher has had an eventful season. He started the year with Boston University, but left the program after 17 games to sign his entry-level contract with the Senators and report to the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL. Before he could report to the OHL, he contracted Covid which delayed his debut by a few weeks. In his first game with the 67’s he hurt his shoulder and ended up missing seven games. In his first 22 OHL games, Boucher had seven goals and seven assists.. Picking Boucher 10^th overall might have been a stretch for the Senators and he has done little to dispel that perception to this point. His junior team has clinched a playoff spot, so Boucher should get an opportunity to get some playoff experience this spring and hopefully build on that. Grant Campbell

July 2021 – Boucher was selected in the first round, 10th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2021 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

July 2021 – Boucher missed most of his draft season due to injury but showcased his powerful game in a limited sample size, scoring three goals in just two games with the USNTDP U17 squad and adding another 11 points in 12 games with the U18 team.

He plays a straight-ahead, physical brand of hockey but he isn’t without offensive upside. Aside from the obvious physicality he provides with big hits on the forecheck, Boucher does well using his size and strength to wreak havoc in front of the net and open up space in the middle of the ice. He does a good job of lurking around the offensive zone to make himself available in scoring areas and his release has shown improvement as well. Boucher currently plays with a bit of tunnel vision and he’s unlikely to ever become a high-end playmaker, but his power game and ability to generate off the rush make him something of a unique commodity in this draft class. Nick Richard