Hamilton, ON - The Hamilton Bulldogs announced today that the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning have hired Guy Boucher as their new Head Coach.
Boucher joined the Bulldogs in June of 2009 and finished his first professional season this past year, guiding the Bulldogs to a Western Conference regular season championship and the second-best regular season record in the entire American Hockey League at 52-17-3-8 (115 points). In the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs, Boucher led the 'Dogs to the Western Conference Finals where the club lost in Game 7 to the Texas Stars. Hamilton set over 60 franchise and league records last season under Boucher, including the franchise records for most wins and points in the regular season and the AHL record for most points earned on the road in the regular season (60). Boucher was the recipient of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding coach for the 2009-2010 season. Boucher also saw an AHL-high 17 players skate with the Bulldogs and their NHL affiliate the Montreal Canadiens, with seven making their NHL debuts - including leading scorer David Desharnais, Brock Trotter and 2010 AHL First Team All-Star and All-Rookie defenceman P.K. Subban.
"It's a bitter-sweet day for our organization", said Hamilton Bulldogs Owner and Chairman Michael Andlauer. "We are losing a valued member of our family. Not only is Guy an outstanding coach and leader, he is also a wonderful person, with great character, a tremendous amount of passion, drive and a thirst for always improving." Andlauer added, "I am very proud of what our team accomplished with Guy at the helm both on the ice and off the ice this year, and am equally proud that yet another Bulldog is able to realize his dream of graduating to the NHL. I'd like to congratulate and thank Guy for his contributions this season and wish Guy, Marsha and their three wonderful children all the best with their new family in Tampa Bay."
A 38-year-old native of Notre-Dame-du-Lac, Quebec, Boucher now becomes the youngest head coach in the NHL. Before joining the Montreal organization last year, Boucher spent the better part of the previous 12 years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, including 2006-2009 as head coach of the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Boucher was an assistant coach for the gold-medal-winning Canadian teams at the 2009 World Junior Championships and the 2008 World U-18 Championships. A graduate of McGill University, Boucher was the fourth head coach in AHL history to win at least 50 games in his first full pro campaign.
"The Montreal Canadiens wish to thank Guy Boucher for his commitment to the organization. His dedication was a key factor to the success of the Hamilton Bulldogs during 2009-2010 season, and to the development of our prospects. We wish Guy the best of luck with the Lightning," said Montreal General Manager Pierre Gauthier.
The Hamilton Bulldogs will name a new Head Coach at a later date.
For information on Bulldogs season tickets, flex packs, mini packs and group tickets call 905-529-8500 or visit www.hamiltonbulldogs.com.
