Brian Boucher is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on January 2, 1977, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and began his hockey career in the early 1990s.
Boucher was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, and he made his NHL debut in the 1999-2000 season. He quickly established himself as a reliable backup goaltender, and he played a key role in the Flyers' run to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2000 playoffs.
Over the next few years, Boucher split time between the Flyers and their minor league affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms. He also represented the United States at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he helped the team win a silver medal.
In the 2003-04 season, Boucher had a breakout year, posting a 20-10-3 record with a 2.20 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. He helped lead the Flyers to the Eastern Conference Finals once again, but they were ultimately defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After the lockout-shortened 2004-05 season, Boucher was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, where he spent the next two seasons. He then played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes over the next few years, serving primarily as a backup goaltender.
Boucher's career took an unexpected turn in the 2009-10 season, when he was playing for the Flyers once again. He was thrust into the starting role in the playoffs after injuries to the team's top two goaltenders, and he responded with a historic performance. Boucher became just the second goaltender in NHL history to record back-to-back shutouts in a playoff series, and he helped lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Despite his heroics in the playoffs, Boucher was unable to secure a starting job in the NHL over the next few years. He spent time in the minor leagues and played in Europe before retiring from professional hockey in 2013.
Throughout his career, Boucher was known for his calm demeanor and his ability to make big saves in key moments. He finished his NHL career with a record of 120-116-34, a 2.71 goals against average, and a .901 save percentage. He also represented the United States in several international tournaments, including the Olympics and the World Championships.
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