Frank Boucher Canadian professional ice hockey player Date of Birth: 07.10.1902 Country: Canada

1. Biography of Frank Boucher
2. Early Life and Family
3. Early Career
4. Playing Career with the New York Rangers
5. Coaching and General Manager Role
6. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Frank Boucher

Frank Xavier "Raffles" Boucher was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played as a forward for the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League (NHL), as well as the Vancouver Maroons in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association.

Early Life and Family

Frank Boucher was born on October 7, 1902, in Ottawa, Ontario. He was one of four brothers in a family who played in the NHL. His brother George "Buck" Boucher was a member of the Ottawa Senators in the 1920s and won the Stanley Cup four times. His brothers Bobby and Billy also played in the league.

Early Career

At the age of six, Boucher received his first pair of skates as a Christmas present. Along with his brothers, he often frequented various outdoor rinks, including the one on the Rideau River. At the age of 13, Boucher dropped out of school and worked as a courier for the federal department supplying the army with weapons during World War I. After the war, Boucher joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and moved west. He started playing for the Lethbridge Vets hockey club but returned home and joined the Ottawa Senators in the 1921-1922 season, with the condition that he would later play for the Vancouver Maroons. He fulfilled this obligation, remaining with the team until 1926.

Playing Career with the New York Rangers

After the disbandment of the western league, Boucher was sold to the Boston Bruins but never played for the team. Instead, he joined the New York Rangers, where he played until his retirement in the 1937-1938 season. Boucher was not only one of the best forwards but also one of the most stylish players. During his time with the New York Rangers, he won the Lady Byng Trophy seven times for his "gentlemanly conduct and high standard of playing ability."

Coaching and General Manager Role

The Rangers hired Boucher as the coach of the New York Rovers, their minor league team, until the team's general manager resigned from the coaching position in the 1939-1940 season, and Boucher took his place. Under his guidance, the New York Rangers eventually won the Stanley Cup. After the 1942 season, the Rangers lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs, and World War II further complicated matters. The team's performance declined drastically, winning only six games out of 50 in one season. From 1940 to 1972, they only reached the Stanley Cup Finals once.

Later Life and Legacy

When Lester Patrick stepped down from his position, Frank Boucher took over as the general manager of the New York Rangers. Lynn Patrick, Lester's son, became the team's coach. Due to Boucher's astuteness, the Rangers came close to winning the Stanley Cup in 1950. However, in the 1953-1954 season, Boucher failed to lead the team to the playoffs. He hired Muzz Patrick, another of Lester's sons, as the team's coach, but the Rangers still only won 17 games and missed the playoffs once again. After this, Boucher voluntarily retired from his position. Frank Boucher passed away on December 12, 1977, at the age of 76 due to cancer. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1958 and was ranked ninth in the New York Rangers' list of "100 Greatest Rangers" in 2009.