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NBC analyst Brian Boucher's draft prospect son suffers knee injury |
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Team USA right wing Tyler Boucher, son of former NHL goalie and current NBC analyst Brian Boucher, suffered a knee injury against Adrian College Thursday night that could sideline him for six to eight weeks.
Boucher plays for the U.S. National Team Development Program, and had been rising on the NHL draft lists because of his physical style and improved scoring touch.
"He can be a Wayne Simmonds type of player who can give you a physical presence and a net front presence," said Tony Ferrari, head of North American Scouting for Dobber Prospects.
Ferrari said when you deep dive into Boucher's statistics you find "he is one of the better producers per minutes played."
At present, Ferrari views Boucher as a late second or third round prospect.
Former NHL goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, USA Hockey's assistant executive of hockey operations, calls young Boucher "a throwback player."
"He's a physical power forward and it's something the game really really needs right now, and he's a special piece for our U-18 team," said Vanbiesbrouck who was a goalie partner with Tyler's father on the Philadelphia Flyers in 1999-00.
Ferrari projects "at the NHL level I see Boucher as a middle six guy."
"If you put him with someone like Jack Hughes he will put up some points," Ferrari said. "He's not great at anything, but he can do everything."
Boucher, 6-1, 200, scored two goals, with one assist and eight penalty minutes in his first two United States Hockey League games this season. He owns a quality shot, but will score most of his goals on tips and cleaning up in front of the net.
"What's evident is that (Boucher) needs to be the F1 (forechecker) who finishes checks hards," Vanbiesbrouck said. "He's probably going to take a lot of penalties but coach (Dan Muse) is OK with that."
Early reports indicated the injury was to Boucher's MCL. Vanbiesbrouck said the program was impressed with Boucher's improvement this season. The biggest issue for Boucher will be lost development time.
Boucher should be back in time for the World U18 championship, which is being moved to Texas and pushed back to May 5-15.
"What's evident is that (Boucher) needs to be the F1 (forechecker) who finishes checks hards," Vanbiesbrouck said. "He's probably going to take a lot of penalties but coach (Dan Muse) is OK with that."
The U.S. program this season also boasts Ryan St. Louis, son of former Hart Trophy winner Martin St. Louis, and Caden Brown, son of former NHL defenseman Jeff Brown. Arizona native Red Savage is the son of 12-year NHLer Brian Savage.
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