ST. PAUL - At just 16 years old, Owen Boucher is working hard to make his dreams a reality.
On March 23, the Winnipeg ICE announced the club had signed Boucher, a 2004-born defensemen, to a Western Hockey League standard player agreement.
Boucher was the team’s eighth round selection (157th overall) in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. In the 2019/20 season, Boucher captained the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers in the Alberta Minor Midget Hockey League. The 6’1, 161 lbs defender recorded 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in 37 games.
“Boucher finished the year third in the league when it comes to defenseman scoring and tied for second in goals scored by a defenseman,” reads a post on the Winnipeg ICE website.
“He is a competitive defenseman that contributes in all aspects of the game. Owen will be a steady presence on our blue line in the future,” said Jake Heisinger, Vice President of Hockey Operations and Assistant General Manager, in announcement.
When speaking with the St. Paul Journal, Heisinger said the team has been watching Boucher development throughout the past season.
“We kept a keen eye on him. . . We feel that he could be a great defensemen.”
Being just 16 years old, Boucher is on the younger end of players within the WHL. The league allows players between 15 and 20 to play, although 15-year-olds can only play a limited number of games.
Heisinger added the team only signs players when they feel they can compete in the league.
“We feel he’s only going to improve,” said Heisinger, adding, Boucher has come a long way in a short period of time.
“I am honured to have signed with such an outstanding organization. I cannot think of a better club to start my junior career with than (the Winnipeg ICE). Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way,” said Boucher, after last week’s announcement was made.
Looking ahead, Heisinger says a training camp for the ICE is expected to take place in August.
