Robin Bouchard
Encyclopedia
Robin Bouchard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey
player who played sixteen seasons of minor league hockey. He holds the modern-era minor league goal scoring record, scoring 687 goals while playing in the ECHL
, CoHL, United Hockey League
, CHL
, and the modern-day IHL.
. He chose the Express "because the owners were French-Canadian." Bouchard scored his first goal as a result of a defenseman's slap shot that went wide. The puck ended up on Bouchard's stick and he shot into the open side of the net. After ten games and only one goal scored, coach Anzalone was convinced even though Bouchard was a goal scorer in juniors, he wasn't convinced that Bouchard had what it took to score in the professional leagues. Anzalone traded Bouchard and center Andrew Dickson to the Columbus Chill for future considerations on November 30, 1994. Bouchard responded to the trade by scoring thirty goals in forty-six games.
Finals, where the Generals defeated the Thunder Bay Senators four games to two. Bouchard would play another partial season with the Generals before being briefly recalled to the IHL's Fort Wayne Komets
.
Shortly after Bouchard's return to the team, Generals coach Robbie Nichols
and Muskegon Fury
coach Paul Kelly
set up a trade: Bouchard for Detroit Vipers
' prospect Steve Walker
. Vipers' management wanted Walker closer to Detroit, so the trade was approved. Walker played thirteen games for the Vipers, was recalled, and never played for the Generals again.
Despite playing the majority of his 13 seasons in Muskegon, Bouchard remembers driving into the city to report, viewing the run-down buildings and thinking "Woah, I'll finish this year and I want to get out of here." With the exception of two stops in Texas, where he played in San Angelo
and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
, Bouchard remained in Muskegon until his retirement in 2010.
, Bouchard scored the 683rd goal of his career. The goal, set up by teammate Todd Robinson, was scored with 5:50 remaining in the first period. It was Boucher's 56th goal of the season. The game was stopped for nearly 10 minutes, with Bouchard thanking teammates, fans, and Mallards' coach Frank Anzalone (who was Bouchard's first coach in Roanoke and traded him to Columbus a month into his rookie season.)
, a forward who played in throughout the 1950s, 1960's, and 1970's scored 756 career goals in his 18 year career, has also been viewed as minor-league hockey's all-time goal-scoring leader.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who played sixteen seasons of minor league hockey. He holds the modern-era minor league goal scoring record, scoring 687 goals while playing in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, CoHL, United Hockey League
United Hockey League
The United Hockey League was a low-level professional ice hockey league , with teams in the United States...
, CHL
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
, and the modern-day IHL.
ECHL
Bouchard started his career with the Roanoke Express under head coach Frank AnzaloneFrank Anzalone
Frank Anzalone is an American ice hockey coach who is currently the head coach of the Quad City Mallards, a position he has held since the start of the 2009-10 IHL season.-Career:...
. He chose the Express "because the owners were French-Canadian." Bouchard scored his first goal as a result of a defenseman's slap shot that went wide. The puck ended up on Bouchard's stick and he shot into the open side of the net. After ten games and only one goal scored, coach Anzalone was convinced even though Bouchard was a goal scorer in juniors, he wasn't convinced that Bouchard had what it took to score in the professional leagues. Anzalone traded Bouchard and center Andrew Dickson to the Columbus Chill for future considerations on November 30, 1994. Bouchard responded to the trade by scoring thirty goals in forty-six games.
CoHL/UHL/IHL
Bouchard signed with the Flint Generals of the Colonial Hockey League. He led the team in scoring with 56 goals and 107 points, and led the Generals to the 1996 Colonial CupTurner Cup
The Turner Cup is the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. The Cup is named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League...
Finals, where the Generals defeated the Thunder Bay Senators four games to two. Bouchard would play another partial season with the Generals before being briefly recalled to the IHL's Fort Wayne Komets
Fort Wayne Komets
The Fort Wayne Komets are a minor league ice hockey franchise currently a member of the Central Hockey League in the Northern Conference. The team was previously a member of the International Hockey League before it merged into the CHL in 2010...
.
Shortly after Bouchard's return to the team, Generals coach Robbie Nichols
Robbie Nichols
Robert B. Nichols is a former professional American football Linebacker in the National Football League. He attended the University of Tulsa. He would play Linebacker with the Baltimore Colts in 1970 and 1971.-External links:*...
and Muskegon Fury
Muskegon Fury
The Muskegon Fury was a International Hockey League ice hockey team located in Muskegon, Michigan.The Fury were established in 1992 after the original Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League's previous incarnation relocated to Cleveland, Ohio...
coach Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly may refer to:* Paul Kelly , United States criminal and founder of the Five Points Gang* Paul Kelly , US stage and screen actor* Paul Kelly , US soul singer-songwriter...
set up a trade: Bouchard for Detroit Vipers
Detroit Vipers
The Detroit Vipers was an International Hockey League team. The team was founded in 1994, and played at The Palace of Auburn Hills.-Beginning:...
' prospect Steve Walker
Steve Walker
Steve Walker is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Eisbären Berlin in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga....
. Vipers' management wanted Walker closer to Detroit, so the trade was approved. Walker played thirteen games for the Vipers, was recalled, and never played for the Generals again.
Despite playing the majority of his 13 seasons in Muskegon, Bouchard remembers driving into the city to report, viewing the run-down buildings and thinking "Woah, I'll finish this year and I want to get out of here." With the exception of two stops in Texas, where he played in San Angelo
San Angelo Outlaws
The San Angelo Saints were an American minor ice hockey team in San Angelo, Texas. They played in the Western Professional Hockey League from 1997-2001, and the Central Hockey League from 2001-2004...
and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees are a professional ice hockey team based in Hidalgo, Texas, and play their home games at State Farm Arena. They are a member of the Central Hockey League, and two time Central Hockey League franchise of the year...
, Bouchard remained in Muskegon until his retirement in 2010.
Modern Day Goal Scoring Record
On March 21, 2010, while playing the Quad City MallardsQuad City Mallards
The Quad City Mallards were a professional ice hockey team competing in the AA level United Hockey League. The Mallards played their home games at The MARK of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois. Their team colors were forest green and burgundy. They won the Colonial Cup in 1997, 1998 and 2001,...
, Bouchard scored the 683rd goal of his career. The goal, set up by teammate Todd Robinson, was scored with 5:50 remaining in the first period. It was Boucher's 56th goal of the season. The game was stopped for nearly 10 minutes, with Bouchard thanking teammates, fans, and Mallards' coach Frank Anzalone (who was Bouchard's first coach in Roanoke and traded him to Columbus a month into his rookie season.)
Controversy
Although Bouchard's 688 goals are viewed as a modern-day record, there is a debate as to whether it is the all-time record. Dick RobergeDick Roberge
Dick Roberge is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach. He currently holds the record for most minor-leagues goal scored with 752 goals.-Playing career:...
, a forward who played in throughout the 1950s, 1960's, and 1970's scored 756 career goals in his 18 year career, has also been viewed as minor-league hockey's all-time goal-scoring leader.
Records
- Modern day goal-scoring record (687): 1994-2010
- Most consecutive games with a goal (17): 2009-2010 IHL season
Awards
- 2005: Sher-wood/UHL Player Of The Week (January 3 - January 9, 2005)
- 2009-10: James Gatschne Trophy, awarded to the IHL's Most Valuable Player