Emile Bouchard
Montreal's captain and defensive anchor of the 1940s and '50s.
Emile "Butch" Bouchard (4 September 1919 - 14 April 2012) was a Canadian defenceman who played for the Montreal Canadiens from 1941 to 1956. He won four Stanley Cups, captained the Canadiens for eight years, was voted to the NHL All-Star team four times and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Right
- Played for
- Montreal Canadiens
- Born
- 4 September 1919
- Birthplace
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Died
- 14 April 2012
- Place of death
- Longueuil, Quebec, Canada
- Hall of Fame
- 1966
Style and legacy
Although he had a reputation as a clean player, Bouchard was one of the strongest players and best body-checkers of his era, a defensive defenceman with superior passing skills who was known for his leadership and for mentoring younger players. In his early years in the NHL he helped revive what was then an ailing Canadiens franchise. On 4 December 2009 the Canadiens retired his No. 3 as part of their 100th anniversary celebrations.
More in Legendary Players & Coaches
Elsewhere in Montreal Canadiens
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced