Vancouver Canucks playmaker Andre Boudrias dead at age 75
Andre Boudrias, who led the Vancouver Canucks in scoring during the franchise’s inaugural season, has died at the age of 75.
The Montreal native was a seasoned pro when he joined the Canucks for the 1970-71 campaign, having already had NHL stops with the Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues.
But it was with the expansion Canucks that Boudrias left his mark and found his stride as a productive NHLer.
The 5-foot-8, 165-pound Boudrias averaged 70 points over his first five years with the Canucks and served as team captain during the 1975– 76 campaign.
During the 1974-75 season, he registered 62 assists, which remained the club’s single-season record until 200607 when Henrik Sedin eclipsed the mark with 71 helpers.
The Swedish centre later raised the bar three seasons later when he recorded 83 assists.
“For me, it was always in my mind to set up my wingers,” Boudrias said in 2007.
“I felt an assist was as good as a goal and I played that way all my life. We had a good group of guys on those Canucks teams and we still keep in contact which is a nice thing.”
Along with leading the Canucks in scoring for four of the team’s first five years, Boudrias also earned the nickname Super Pest, for his abrasive play that flustered opposing players.
He was twice named the club’s most exciting player, as voted by Canucks fans.
The early Canucks didn’t win a lot of games but with a lineup that included bruisers like Pat Quinn, Orland Kurtenbach, Gary Doak and Rosie Paiement they didn’t lose too many in the alley.
“We had a lot of tough customers on that team,” Boudrias recalled in 1989. “They gave us a lot of protection and it really helped the smaller guys like myself.”
Overall, Boudrias racked up 491 points (151 goals, 340 assists) in 662 NHL games.
After finishing his playing career with the WHA’s Quebec Nordiques, Boudrias returned to Montreal, where he worked as the Canadiens’ assistant general manager, playing a key role in the club’s Stanley Cup championships in 1986 and 1993.
Boudrias later earned three more Stanley Cup rings — in 1995, 2000 and 2003 — as a scout with the New Jersey Devils.
The Canadiens announced that Boudrias died Tuesday in Whistler. No cause of death was given.
“Andre Boudrias will be remembered and missed by all who knew him. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Ginette, and family members,” the Canadiens said in a release.