Career Vitals

Career NHL Statistics

Teams: Montreal, Washington
Years: 1970-1981. Playoffs: 1971-1978

Career Highlights

Named to Montreal Metro Jr. B All-Star Second Team in 1965-66. ... Played on Montreal Voyageurs team that won 1969-70 AHL regular-season title. ... Scored first NHL goal in his 75th game, beating Detroit's Joe Daley on Dec. 8, 1971.

Significant Injuries

Missed most of 1977 playoffs with separated shoulder, an injury suffered in Game 1 of Montreal's first-round playoff series vs. St. Louis. He returned in time to play all four Stanley Cup Finals games vs. Boston. ... Missed parts of 1979-80 season with groin injury and partially separated shoulder. ... Missed 19 games in December and January of 1980-81 season with ligament damage in left knee. ...  Missed part of 1981-82 season with broken nose, an injury suffered in a collision with Harvie Pocza during a Washington Capitals practice in October 1981.

1978 Waiver Draft Controversy

On Oct. 9, 1978, Bouchard was claimed by Washington from Montreal as the first pick in 1978 NHL Waiver Draft for a price of $2,500. Given the rules of the Waiver Draft, the Canadiens could only protect 18 of 21 players who had been part of their 1978 Stanley Cup championship team. They had no desire to lose Bouchard, but had to leave him unprotected. Knowing Bouchard only wanted to play in Montreal, the Canadiens tried to get him back from Washington in a trade that saw them send Rod Schutt to the Caps after the draft. The NHL voided the trade, however, saying Montreal and Washington were trying to circumvent rules of the waiver draft, which was only in its second year of existence. The rule in at issue required a player to clear waivers again before he could be traded back to his original team. Bouchard, who was represented by NHLPA President R. Alan Eagleson in the matter, was upset by the ruling and announced his retirement, declining an option to file suit against the league. Bouchard stayed in retirement for most of the 1978-79 season, working on his farm. Missing hockey, he later reconsidered and joined the Capitals on March 16, 1979, playing in the season finale on April 8 vs. Pittsburgh, earning Third-Star honors.

Life Outside the NHL

Full Name: Pierre Emile Bouchard
Nickname: "Butch"

Other Post-Draft Teams: Montreal Palestre National (Quebec Jr. B); Montreal (OHA); Cleveland, Montreal (AHL); Hershey (AHL).

Broadcasting Career: Worked as color commentator for French broadcasts of Montreal games. ... Remained in broadcasting and became host of popular French-language Montreal sports talk radio show, working in radio for a total of 18 years.

Education: Owned a farm in Vercheres, Quebec, that he worked on during off-seasons of his NHL career and stayed active in farming well into his retirement as he worked as a broadcaster. Quit broadcasting in 2002 to devote himself full-time to his farm.

Family: Son of Hockey Hall of Famer and four-time Stanley Cup champion Emile "Butch" Bouchard, who was playing for Montreal Canadiens at the time Pierre was born.

Miscellaneous:

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