Boucher back between the glass
Mount grad excited for role with NBCSN
When the NHL dropped the puck on the 2018-19 season last night in the nation’s capital, Woonsocket native Brian Boucher was be positioned between the benches of the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins.
Once again, Boucher will reprise his role as an inside-the-glass analyst for NHL broadcasts on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). The former Mount St. Charles star goalie and 13-year NHL veteran is part of a new wrinkle to NBCSN’s hockey coverage this season. The channel is shifting away from “Wednesday Night Rivalry” in favor of “Wednesday Night Hockey” that features two nationally televised contests that air on the same evening.
“We’re expanding our coverage. In that regard, it’s a great thing,” Boucher said when reached earlier this week.
Boucher has his broadcast marching orders up until Christmas. He’ll primarily be based on the east coast, though he noted a couple of instances where he’ll be analyzing the action from a Western Conference rink – Oct. 24 at Winnipeg and Dec. 5 at St. Louis. The post-Christmas work slate should be firmed up by Thanksgiving.
Boucher has been affiliated with the NHL on NBC family since 2015. He started out as a studio analyst before embarking upon an on-site occupation that like any job has its positives and drawbacks.
“Seeing the game from down below is fun because you get to feel the energy. Up top, maybe you don’t pick up on how intense the game might be,” Boucher said. “There are challenges. Truthfully, you may miss something when you’re at ice level.”
For someone who during his playing days earned high marks for always cooperating with the media, Boucher cherishes his second career and how it enables him to remain connected to the sport.
“You’re around the rink, around players and coaches you may have played for … people who you know. For an ex-player, that part is awesome,” Boucher said. “It’s awfully nice to be at the rink and still feel like you’re a part of this.”
When Boucher does show up for his national gig, he wants to make sure he’s as prepared as possible. That means performing the broadcaster’s version of homework – closely watching all the games featuring the two teams from Wednesday to Wednesday. On game-days, Boucher will attend both morning skates and afterwards head into the locker rooms to pick the brains of the players and coaches. He’ll also talk with media members who closely follow the teams.
“Obviously it’s good to talk to people, but it’s even better when you see it for yourself. That’s when you can form your own opinions as it relates to what transpires during the game,” Boucher said.
Arguably, Boucher’s key duty during the broadcast comes when he interviews a player or coach. It’s an area that he described as a work in progress but also feels he’s getting better and figures to only improve the more he steps on the bench and holds court with the head coach during a break in the action.
“You’re trained to be a hockey player who’s trying to come up with a new craft, but it’s a good challenge,” Boucher said. “You just want to make sure you’re not asking yes or no questions and try to get them to speak, open up, or describe something you might have seen.”
There have been inside-the-glass tips and helpful hints from Pierre McGuire, NBC’s veteran in-game analyst, that Boucher appreciates. For now, McGuire will be featured during the second game of NBCSN’s west coast portion of Wednesday’s doubleheader.
“Pierre has been great along with plenty of guys along the way,” said Boucher, who as the strategic adviser of Mount St. Charles hockey has an important voice in the school’s plan to take its famed hockey program national.
“As a player, you never realize how much behind-the-scenes work goes into a broadcast. Seeing firsthand the preparation that goes into delivering the story the way it should be presented to the fans, you develop a greater appreciation,” Boucher added.
As part of NBCSN’s opening week coverage, Boucher will travel from Washington to the Big Apple for tonight’s game between the New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators. He does list the Capitals and Bruins among the 10 clubs that he considers sporting legitimate Stanley Cup hopes.
Specifically on the Bruins, Boucher feels the offseason acquisition of journeyman goalie Jaroslav Halak should work to Tuukka Rask’s benefit. Boucher also dubbed Boston’s top line of David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand as ranking up there as one of the game’s best, if not the best.
“They play an energetic, up-tempo game. They’ll be a tough team to beat,” Boucher said.