Senators Re-Sign Tyler Boucher, Aiming for Continued Growth

In a strategic move, Senators general manager Steve Staios is focusing on his Belleville free agents, and for the second consecutive day, he has secured a key player from the 2021 NHL Draft. Following the re-signing of Xavier Bourgault, Tyler Boucher has also inked a one-year, two-way contract for the upcoming season.

Boucher is coming off a breakout year, showcasing his potential with the Belleville Senators. Over the course of 47 games, he tallied 12 goals and 14 assists, amassing a total of 26 points. If projected over a full 72-game AHL season, this performance would translate to a noteworthy 40-point pace, a promising sign for the Senators as they look to bolster their roster.

Securing another contract is a testament to Boucher’s growth, but the key statistic moving forward will be his ability to stay healthy. Since being drafted, he has faced challenges with injuries that have limited his playing time. In the five years since his selection, he has participated in just 177 games across stints with Boston University, the Ottawa 67s, and Belleville.

When he was selected fifth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Boucher was regarded as one of the most physical forwards available. While many analysts did not see him as a top-10 prospect, the Senators believed in his potential. Now, as he gears up for the coming season, Boucher is eager to prove his doubters wrong and demonstrate that he can overcome the injury struggles that have hindered his progress.

The Senators are clearly banking on Boucher’s development and are optimistic that he can take another significant step forward this fall.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.