Home / News / Bruce Boudreau lands new gig

Bruce Boudreau lands new gig

By Ian Oland

 0 Comment

September 7, 2023 6:09 pm

Former Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau has landed a new job.

Boudreau will serve as the senior advisor of the Niagara IceDogs – a team in the junior Ontario Hockey League.

“I am very proud, happy and excited to help the Niagara IceDogs in any way I can,” Boudreau said in a release. “The Niagara area will always have a special place in heart. I look forward to one day celebrating a Memorial Cup with the Niagara IceDogs.”

IceDogs owner Darren DeDobbelaer added, “Anytime you can add someone with a pedigree, history and passion like Bruce can bring, it has to be a win for everyone involved. We are humbled that he would even consider our offer.”

For Boudreau, this will mark the first time he’s worked in any capacity in the Canadian Hockey League – the umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian junior leagues: the OHL, QMJHL, and WHL. During the 70s, Boudreau suited up as a player for the Toronto Marlboros in junior — a team in the OMJHL (Ontario Major Junior Hockey League). Boudreau led the league in scoring during the 1974-75 season, tallying 165 points (68g, 97a) in 69 games.

While serving as a senior advisor to the Ice Dogs, Boudreau will also remain a contributor and overseer of the Hershey Cubs – the local USPHL team he owns. Training Camp for the Cubs opened on Thursday.

When he’s not serving as a coach to WWE tag team Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, Boudreau has also contributed to the NHL Network and NBC Sports Washington as an analyst.

The popular coach is coming off a very public and unpopular firing by the Vancouver Canucks last season, where he got an emotional sendoff by Canucks fans after news of his fate was reported ahead of time by the media.

Boudreau, 68, is one of the most winningest coaches in NHL history after posting a 617-342-128 record in 1,087 games. Amongst coaches who have been behind the bench for 1,000 games or more, Boudreau has the second highest points percentage (.626), trailing only Scotty Bowman (.657).

Here’s the Niagara IceDogs’ full press release:

IceDogs Hire Bruce Boudreau As Senior Advisor

NIAGARA, ON – The Niagara IceDogs have announced the hiring of longtime NHL Head Coach and Jack Adams Award winner, Bruce Boudreau. Boudreau will join the IceDogs organization as Senior Advisor, joining his son, Ben Boudreau on the IceDogs staff after Ben was hired as Associate Coach back in early July.

“I am very proud, happy and excited to help the Niagara IceDogs in any way I can. The Niagara area will always have a special place in heart. I look forward to one day celebrating a Memorial Cup with the Niagara IceDogs.” stated Boudreau.

Boudreau brings a multitude of high-level hockey experience, playing in 141 career games in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks, in addition to playing 634 career games in the AHL, recording 799 total points. During his time in the AHL, Boudreau played two seasons in St. Catharines with the now defunct St. Catharines Saints. After his playing career ended in 1991, Boudreau would jump right into his coaching career, securing a Head Coaching job with the Muskegon Fury of the CoHL. He would then spend 12 seasons as a Head Coach in the AHL and ECHL before eventually being hired by the Washington Capitals (NHL) in the 2007-2008 season. His NHL coaching career lasted 16 seasons across four NHL teams; the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks. During his NHL tenure, Boudreau was awarded the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Best Head Coach in the 2007-2008 season.

“Michele and I are more than excited to welcome Bruce. Anytime you can add someone with a pedigree, history and passion like Bruce can bring, it has to be a win for everyone involved. We are humbled that he would even consider our offer.” exclaimed Owner, Darren DeDobbelaer.

“Also, would like to thank Darren and Michele for giving me this opportunity to come back to the OHL.” added Boudreau.

The Niagara IceDogs are pleased to welcome Bruce to the IceDogs family!

Headline photo: @BoudreauCrystal/X

, , ,