Paul Boutilier

Paul André Boutilier (May 3, 1963 – May 14, 2026) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played with several National Hockey League teams in the 1980s. He was a member of the 1983 Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders.

Playing career Boutilier was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He starred in the QMJHL with the Sherbrooke Castors in the early 1980s. In 1982, he helped the team reach the Memorial Cup finals, however, the Castors lost to the Kitchener Rangers. Boutilier was named to the tournament all-star team, and was voted a first-team all-star by the QMJHL. Chosen 21st overall by the New York Islanders in the 1981 NHL entry draft (ahead of such future NHL stars as Chris Chelios and John Vanbiesbrouck), Boutilier split his first full pro season between the Islanders and the CHL's Indianapolis Checkers. He did, however, have his name inscribed on the Stanley Cup in 1983 after appearing in two playoff games for the champion Isles. He also attended McGill University during the offseasons.

Boutilier became a regular on the Islanders' blueline in 1984–85 and recorded a career-best 35 points. He scored 34 points the next year and showed a willingness to play rough in his own zone. Over the next four years Boutilier's play was less consistent. He moved around the league with the Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, and three different minor pro clubs. Boutilier retired in 1990 after spending most of the year in Switzerland with SC Bern.

Coaching Boutilier was named St. Mary's (AUAA) assistant coach prior to the 1991–92 season and remained in that position through 1992–93. He was promoted to head coach prior to 1993–94 season and remained in that position through 1996–97.

Post-hockey After retiring from hockey, Boutilier became a regular on the Canadian curling circuit, serving as head of the World Curling Tour and World Curling Players' Association.

Boutilier taught International Marketing at the University of Prince Edward Island and was the Director of Defence Development & Analytics for the Saint John Sea Dogs in the QMJHL. In 2015, he was named assistant coach of the Sea Dogs.

Boutilier died in Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 14, 2026, at the age of 63.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1979–80 Cape Breton Miners NSAHA 56 30 43 73 — — — — — 1980–81 Sherbrooke Castors QMJHL 72 10 29 39 93 14 3 7 10 10 1981–82 Sherbrooke Castors QMJHL 57 20 60 80 62 21 7 31 38 12 1981–82 New York Islanders NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1982–83 Saint-Jean Castors QMJHL 22 5 14 19 30 — — — — — 1982–83 New York Islanders NHL 29 4 5 9 24 2 0 0 0 2 1983–84 New York Islanders NHL 28 0 11 11 36 21 1 7 8 10 1983–84 Indianapolis Checkers CHL 50 6 17 23 56 — — — — — 1984–85 New York Islanders NHL 78 12 23 35 90 10 0 2 2 16 1985–86 New York Islanders NHL 77 4 30 34 100 3 0 0 0 2 1986–87 Boston Bruins NHL 52 5 9 14 84 — — — — — 1986–87 Minnesota North Stars NHL 10 2 4 6 8 — — — — — 1987–88 New York Rangers NHL 4 0 1 1 6 — — — — — 1987–88 New Haven Nighthawks AHL 9 0 3 3 10 — — — — — 1987–88 Colorado Rangers IHL 9 2 6 8 4 — — — — — 1987–88 Winnipeg Jets NHL 6 0 0 0 6 5 0 0 0 15 1987–88 Moncton Hawks AHL 41 9 29 38 40 — — — — — 1988–89 Winnipeg Jets NHL 3 0 0 0 4 — — — — — 1988–89 Moncton Hawks AHL 77 6 54 60 101 10 2 7 9 4 1989–90 SC Bern NDA 35 13 28 41 36 4 0 1 1 4 1989–90 Canada Intl 4 0 2 2 0 — — — — — 1989–90 Maine Mariners AHL 12 0 4 4 21 — — — — — 1990–91 Zürcher SC NDA 22 4 8 12 28 — — — — — NHL totals 288 27 83 110 358 41 1 9 10 45 AHL totals 139 15 90 105 172 10 2 7 9 4

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1982 Canada WJC 7 2 4 6 4 1983 Canada WJC 7 2 3 5 2 Junior totals 14 4 7 11 6

Awards and honors QMJHL First All-Star Team (1982) QMJHL Emile Bouchard Trophy (Defenseman of Year) 1981-82 Memorial Cup Tournament All-Star Team (1982) 1983 Stanley Cup- New York Islanders AHL First All-Star Team (1989) Inducted to Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame, 1994