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Tyler Boucher Scouting Report: 2021 NHL Draft #50

Tyler Boucher Scouting Report

Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2021 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “2021 NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we bring you our Tyler Boucher Scouting Report. 

Born in Haddonfield, New Jersey, forward Tyler Boucher has spent the last two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program. This past year he was limited by a series knee injury suffered in January. He played just 12 games for the Under-18 team, scoring six goals and five assists for 11 points. Rehabbing his injured knee, he also played two games for the Under-17 team, scoring three goals. Boucher ended up missing out on the IIHF Under-18 World Championships as a result of his injury.

In 2019-20 Boucher put up nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 43 games with the Under-17 team. He also won a silver medal playing with Team USA at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. Boucher scored a goal and three assists for four points in six tournament games.

Boucher is the son of former NHL goaltender Brian Boucher. He is committed to playing NCAA Division One hockey for the Boston University Terriers next season. Should he change his mind and opt to head to the CHL, his rights are owned by the Ottawa 67s who took him in the 7th round of the 2019 OHL Draft.

Tyler Boucher Scouting Report

Right Wing/Centre — shoots Right
Born January 16th, 2003 — Haddonfield, New Jersey
Height 6’1″ — Weight 205 lbs [185 cm / 93 kg]

Skating

Boucher combines his size with very good skating ability. He has a good first step and decent acceleration. His long stride generates good power and top-end speed. Boucher can go around a defender, drop his shoulder to protect the puck and cut to the front of the net. He also gets in quickly on the forecheck. His powerful stride helps him to fight through checks as well as to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. Boucher is strong on the puck. He could use some work on his edgework and agility though. Boucher needs to continue to work on his crossovers in order to maintain his speed coming out of turns. He also could be better at quick changes in direction going forward.

Offensive Game

Boucher is a throwback type of player. He is the type of power forward that is becoming rare in today’s game. Boucher drives the net with and without the puck. When he gets there, he has the hands to score goals, getting the puck into tight areas. Boucher can also score by banging in rebounds, tipping in a shot, or one-timing a pass from a teammate. He creates real havoc in front of the opponent’s net. Boucher can also score from a bit further out with his powerful wrist shot. He could stand to get a little quicker on his release in order to really give professional goalies problems.

Boucher is quick to get in on the forecheck and absolutely punishes opposing defenders. There are times he needs to watch himself though as some of his hits are a little undisciplined and this can get him into trouble. With his size and speed, he forces turnovers and is good on the dump and chase. He controls the puck down low on the cycle game. In terms of playmaking, he is not the most creative player. Instead of making a cross-ice pass-through traffic, Boucher looks to keep the puck moving and takes the simple pass to a teammate and then looks for open ice.

Defensive Game

Boucher can sometimes be a bit of a liability defensively due to the fact he gets himself out of position looking for the big hit. He chases the puck a bit too much and this can lead to him being out of position. Boucher also has a tendency to take too many penalties, which can be a problem. He is a hard-worker though, willing to come back defensively and support his teammates. It is a matter of being well coached over the next couple of years though. Boucher has the size and active stick to be disruptive in his own end of the ice though. He cuts down passing lanes and pressures opponents. When turnovers are created, Boucher moves the puck up the ice quickly, starting the transition game.

Projection and Comparison

Boucher’s size, physical game, and skating ability make him a bit of a unicorn. He could develop into a second or third-line winger at the NHL level if he is able to reach his potential. However, there are limitations in his offensive game as he could be a better stickhandler and passer. His game is extremely physical and in order to play this style against men, he must continue to add muscle to his frame over the next couple of years. By heading the NCAA route, he will get the time to do so in the weight room with the slower college schedule. Boucher’s game is reminiscent of Tom Wilson. However, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.

Highlights

The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Tyler Boucher that are available on youtube and Twitter.

https://twitter.com/AIexTaxman/status/1313200038340829185

 

Check back soon for our latest NHL Draft article.

 

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