Tyler Boucher anxious to return and contribute to 67’s
Ottawa 67’s forward Tyler Boucher has not had an easy ride since arriving in the Nation’s Capital.
The tenth overall pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2021 made the transition to major junior in January of 2022, but since then, has only suited up in a total of 41 regular season games, due largely to injuries. It’s yielded an up-and-down tenure for both Boucher, and the 67’s, who make no bones about the fact that the 19-year-old is a key part of their lineup.
The unfortunate trend continued when Boucher injured his shoulder in the semi-final game of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, while playing for Team U.S.A. Though the injury was not season-ending, the Haddonfield, New Jersey product has been out of the Ottawa lineup since.
Boucher, though, isn’t the type to wallow in self-pity when faced with roadblocks. He admits to feeling the frustration of being sidelined, but it has perhaps only served as fuel for his hunger to get back on the ice.
“It’s a mindset thing. Obviously, there’s been a ton of adversity for me, but that’s sports,” said Boucher. “It’s tough to go through, it’s annoying, but it’s almost like a restart. It’s what I signed up for.”
To that end, Boucher’s road to back to the ice has been a proactive one. Upon returning to Ottawa from the World Juniors, he quickly began working with the Senators’ medical team, and development coaches, as well as 67’s Athletic Therapist Marie-Pierre Neron, to begin the process of returning to the 67’s.
After nearly two months, Boucher has received the “all-clear” to return to play; which will happen Friday night, when the 67’s host Shane Wright, and the Western Conference-leading Windsor Spitfires.
He knows, however, that it may take time to get back to top form.
“I think there’s going to be a rust factor, but we’ve worked really hard in terms of my conditioning, and I feel good,” Boucher said. “It might take me a little bit to get going, but I’m not worried about it. My shoulder feels good, and I feel confident.”
Though eager to get back, and contribute, Boucher is also conscious of trying to do too much. The fact is that the 67’s are, as he left them, the top team in the OHL. They’ve won eight of their last ten games, and this past weekend, became the first Eastern Conference squad to clinch a playoff berth.
Ottawa’s most recent spate of success has come due in no small part to a pair of trade deadline acquisitions. OA forward Logan Morrison has scored 26 points in 15 games since arriving from the Hamilton Bulldogs, and the 2022 tenth overall pick of the Anaheim Ducks, former Saginaw Spirit standout defenceman Pavel Mintyukov, has been a revelation in both ends of the ice, bolstering an already stellar 67’s blue line.
For Boucher, the chance to finally play alongside Ottawa’s newest stars only adds to the excitement of returning to the lineup.
“I’m glad ‘Mo’ and ‘Pav’ are on our side now,” he said. “They’re two great players, and they bring a ton of leadership to our team as well. I’m just going to try to add to what we have, and help reach our end goal.”
The end goal, of course, being a long playoff run that culminates in championship victory. It’s no secret by now that Ottawa’s aspirations have been lofty, since it became evident early in the season that they had a group capable of contending. Combine a talented, motivated team, under the guidance of Head Coach Dave Cameron, with the acquisitions made by General Manager James Boyd at the deadline, and the 67’s have every right to be excited about the immediate future.
Despite having already clinched a berth in the postseason, Boucher says that the team is focused on finishing the campaign not only in first place, but maybe more importantly, playing their best hockey.
The postseason sits comfortably in the periphery, though. Age and physicality win in the playoffs, both of which Boucher has in spades, and the hard-hitting, but skilled power forward’s attention lies on what he can add to the talented 67’s equation.
“I think I bring a lot to the table,” said Boucher. “Playoff games are hard, they’re physical. They’re not for everybody. I think I need to bring that element, that fear factor, so guys on our team can play bigger, and add more confidence within the group.”
Focused as he may be on helping to bring a championship to Ottawa, Boucher just wants to play hockey, at heart.
“I’m just grateful to be back playing,” he said. “[The injury] could have been a lot worse, and that’s what I kept telling myself. I’m just happy to play the game I love, and excited about my teammates. They’re great guys, and I want to go on a big run with them.”
The 67’s will try to take another step towards that run, Friday night, in their tilt with the Spitfires.
