Editing Brian Boucher (section)

==Playing career==

===Early Philadelphia years===
Boucher was drafted by the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in the first round of the [[1995 NHL Entry Draft]], 22nd overall. He began play with the Flyers during the [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000 season]], taking the starting position from veteran [[John Vanbiesbrouck]] and helping the team secure the [[Eastern Conference (NHL)|Eastern Conference]] and [[Atlantic Division (NHL)|Atlantic Division]] regular season titles while leading the NHL in [[goals against average]] (GAA) at 1.91. In the [[2000 Stanley Cup playoffs]], he backstopped his team to the Eastern Conference Finals. En route, he recorded several memorable moments, including a five-overtime victory against the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/primeau-gives-flyers-win-in-5-ot-epic-1.222175 | title = Primeau gives Flyers win in 5 OT epic | publisher = CBC Sports | date = 2000-11-10 | access-date = 2011-01-08}}</ref> and a sprawling save against [[Patrik Eliáš]] of the [[New Jersey Devils]], which thereafter became known as a "Boosh" among goaltenders.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=552180 | title = Boucher & "The Save" | publisher = Philadelphia Flyers | author = Bill Meltzer | date = 2011-02-09 | access-date = 2011-02-09}}</ref> Although the Flyers were ahead three games to one in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Devils, and despite the return of the injured [[Eric Lindros]], Boucher and the Flyers lost in seven games to the eventual [[Stanley Cup]] champion Devils. In the [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]], a weak start to the season saw him lose his starting position to [[Roman Čechmánek]].

===Phoenix/Shutout streak===
[[File:Boucher phantoms.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Boucher playing for the Phantoms in 2007–08.]]
On June 12, 2002, Boucher was traded (along with multiple draft picks) to the [[Phoenix Coyotes]] in exchange for [[Michal Handzuš]] and [[Robert Esche]]. In the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]], Boucher broke the modern-day NHL record for the longest shutout streak by a goaltender, going unscored upon for 332 minutes, or five-and-a-half games. On February 1, 2006, he was traded to the [[Calgary Flames]] (along with [[Mike Leclerc]]) in exchange for [[Steven Reinprecht]] and [[Philippe Sauvé]].

===Chicago/Columbus===
Boucher began the [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07 season]] with the [[Chicago Blackhawks]]. On February 27, 2007, he was acquired on waivers by the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]]. Boucher arrived hours prior to the Blue Jackets-[[Colorado Avalanche]] game that evening.  During the game, he wore [[Ty Conklin]]'s number 35 sweater. On March 3, 2007, Boucher made his Blue Jackets debut against his former team, Phoenix. His first game was a 4–3 win.

===San Jose Sharks===
On July 23, 2007, Boucher signed an [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) contract with the [[Philadelphia Phantoms]], the Philadelphia Flyers' AHL affiliate. He played with the Phantoms until he signed a one-year contract with the [[San Jose Sharks]] on February 26, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sharks.nhl.com/team/app/?service%3Dpage%26page%3DNewsPage%26articleid%3D354988 |title=San Jose Sharks - News: Boucher Provides Depth in Net - 02/26/2008 |access-date=2008-02-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229123826/http://sharks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=354988 |archive-date=2008-02-29 }}</ref>

[[File:Brian Boucher 08.jpg|thumb|right|Boucher playing for San Jose in 2007–08.]]
On June 25, 2008, stating how much he liked the San Jose atmosphere, he signed another one-year contract with the Sharks, worth US$650,000.<ref>Pollak, David. [http://blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks/2008/06/25/pavelski-roenick-boucher-four-years-505-million-gets-it-all-done/ "Pavelski, Roenick, Boucher — 4 years, $5 million gets it done"], ''Sharks Blog: Working the Corners'', June 25, 2008. Accessed June 25, 2008.</ref> He recorded consecutive shutouts in each of his first two games of the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]] for the Sharks before allowing a goal in his third game.

===Return to Philadelphia===
On July 1, 2009, Boucher agreed to a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers to be the steady, veteran backup to the starting goaltender [[Ray Emery]]. However, when Emery incurred an injury midway through the season, Boucher was thrust into the spotlight with mediocre results. A hand injury soon pushed Boucher to the sideline, and he was replaced by third-string goaltender [[Michael Leighton]]. Leighton excelled in Boucher's absence, and once healthy, Boucher found himself backing-up Leighton. Upon the return of Emery, Boucher was further demoted to the press box, with Leighton now the backup. Emery soon re-injured himself, giving Boucher a chance to back-up Leighton, who once again was playing well. Near the end of the season, with only 13 games left, Leighton went down with a high-ankle sprain, and Boucher was back into the spotlight for the Flyers once again. After a 2–1 shootout victory in the final game of the season against the [[New York Rangers]], Boucher and the Flyers advanced to the playoffs.

In the [[2010 Stanley Cup playoffs|2010 playoffs]], Boucher defeated [[Martin Brodeur]] and the New Jersey Devils in the first round four games to one. The national media remarked he was the surprise of the playoffs after the first round with his outstanding play in net. The Flyers defeated the [[Boston Bruins]] in the second round by overcoming a three-game deficit, but Boucher was injured in Game 5 of that series with knee injuries. Boucher returned from his injuries to serve as a backup to Leighton in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Chicago Blackhawks. He saw game action in Game 1 and Game 5 in relief of Leighton, but the Flyers lost in six games to the Blackhawks.

[[File:Brian BoucherHurricanes.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Boucher playing for the Hurricanes in 2011–12.]]
In the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]], Boucher split time in goal with standout rookie [[Sergei Bobrovsky]] after Leighton was demoted to the AHL, in part for hiding an injury. Bobrovsky started most of the games, and was named the Flyers playoff starter. After Game 2 of the conference quarter-finals against the [[Buffalo Sabres]], in which Boucher relieved Bobrovsky and earned the win, Boucher started the next three games. However, he was pulled in Game 5 in favour of Leighton, who was called up as a third goaltender. Leighton played well but lost Game 5 in overtime, nonetheless earning the start for Game 6. However, in Game 6, Leighton allowed three goals in the opening period, and once again Boucher was able to earn the win in relief, making Boucher the only goaltender in NHL history to record two wins in a playoff series when coming in relief. Boucher went on to start Game 7 as the Flyers defeated Buffalo. Boucher started the first three games in the next round against Boston, but played poorly, allowing for deposed starter Bobrovsky to return in Game 4 as the Flyers were ultimately swept.

===Carolina Hurricanes and third stint with Flyers===
After the Flyers acquired goaltender [[Ilya Bryzgalov]] and decided to keep Bobrovsky as backup, Boucher was the odd man out. On July 1, 2011, Boucher was signed by the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] to a two-year contract worth $950,000 per season.<ref>{{cite web|title=NHL Free Agent Tracker|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880|work=The Sports Network|access-date=1 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629095253/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880|archive-date=2011-06-29|url-status=dead}}</ref> He played sparingly as the backup to [[Cam Ward (ice hockey)|Cam Ward]], and his season ended early due to injury.

On January 13, 2013, after the end of the [[2012–13 NHL lockout]], Boucher began his third stint with the Flyers, and fourth overall with the organization, when he and defenseman [[Mark Alt]] were traded to Philadelphia in exchange for [[Luke Pither]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=650126|title = Canes Acquire Pither from Flyers for Boucher, Alt}}</ref> Three days later, Boucher was waived and sent down to [[Adirondack Phantoms|Adirondack]], the new home of the AHL Phantoms. Boucher was named the team's starting goaltender, relegating previous starter [[Scott Munroe]] to backup duty and sending Phantoms backup [[Cal Heeter]] to the [[Trenton Titans]], the Flyers' [[ECHL]] affiliate. On February 10, Boucher was recalled by the Flyers after Michael Leighton suffered a lower body injury. He saw action in four games before being sent back down to Adirondack on March 9 after Leighton returned to health.