# Paul Boutilier

Paul André Boutilier (born May 3, 1963) is a Canadian former 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, his team lost to the Kitchener Rangers. He 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 his 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. He 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.
He currently teaches International Marketing at the University of Prince Edward Island and is 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.

## Career statistics
### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| 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 | NHL totals | NHL totals | 288 | 27 | 83 | 110 | 358 | 41 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 45 |
| AHL totals | AHL totals | 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 | Junior totals | Junior totals | 14 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 |

## Awards & 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