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Carolina Hurricanes: The Curious Case of Cam Ward’s Backups

By Jeb Bohn

SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes stretches on the ice during warm ups against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on April 2, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cam Ward
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 2: Goaltender Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes stretches on the ice during warm ups against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center on April 2, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Cam Ward /
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RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 31:Brian Boucher #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes squares himself in the crease to protect the net against the New Jersey Devils during an NHL game on March 31, 2012 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 31:Brian Boucher #33 of the Carolina Hurricanes squares himself in the crease to protect the net against the New Jersey Devils during an NHL game on March 31, 2012 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Brian Boucher

When the Carolina Hurricanes signed Brian Boucher in the summer of 2011, all I could think about was “The Streak”.  For 332 minutes during the 2003-04 season, no one in the NHL could score on Boucher, then a member of the Phoenix Coyotes.

While I didn’t expect that same record-setting performance, I did like the signing, believing that Boucher could offer solid play as a backup.

Yeah, about that:

2011-12: 10GP; 1W; 7L; 3.40 GAA; .881 SV%; 0 SO

A groin injury cut Boucher’s season short, only to be followed up by a shoulder injury.  Eighteen months after signing with the Carolina Hurricanes, Brian Boucher was moved to the Philadelphia Flyers (his third stint there) along with Mark Alt for Luke Pither.

After splitting the 2012-13 season between the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate, Boucher played 5 games for EV Zug in the Swiss National League in 2013-14.

In his post-playing career, Boucher has transitioned into a role as an analyst for NBCSN and the NHL Network.

Best Performance: Boucher’s slim body of work with the Carolina Hurricanes doesn’t give much to choose from.  Statistically, his best performance came in a 1-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on November 18th, 2011 in which he stopped 19 of 20 shots.

Overall Impression: Brian Boucher was on the downside of his career when he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes and injuries accelerated his decline.

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