For more than a decade, he had the “best seat in the house.”
And now, well into the second stage of his “hockey” career, he still does.
We’re referring to Brian Boucher, the ex-Flyer goaltender, who not only backstopped Philadelphia to the Eastern Conference finals in 2000 but played a key role in the team’s trip to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.
All those years of taking in the action from the netfront have given Boucher a somewhat unique perspective on the game. He was able to analyze action as it unfolded and prepare himself for powerful shots from the National Hockey League’s best.
Currently, in addition to his duties as a Flyers game analyst, he serves a similar role for TNT network’s coverage of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the defending champion Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.
He’s stationed in a small “photographer’s booth” between the teams’ two benches, giving him an up-close view of the high-speed action.
With the Panthers now ahead, 3-2, and with a chance to clinch on Tuesday night in Game 6, Boucher was able to find time to share some of his thoughts on everything from how this championship has been contested to how he believes the future of his old team, the Flyers, will play out over the next few years.
Because three of the first Oiler-Panther games went to overtime, veteran observers believe this is shaping up to be one of the most exciting title competitions in years.
“Every game has been amazing,” Boucher said in a telephone call from Edmonton. “There’s been so much talk between the benches.”
Speaking of which, a water bottle squirting skirmish broke out during Game 4, with Edmonton’s Jake Walman unloading a full container in the direction of the Panther bench.
Boucher apparently got caught in some of the crossfire and took out his frustration by banging on the glass adjacent to the Oiler bench with his elbow. This made for a rather humorous moment on the TNT broadcast, with announcers Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk sharing a chuckle or two.
“Actually I was a little disappointed in myself,” said Boucher, mindful he’s an ex-player. “This is the players’ time. We in the media should just be there and not be it.
“I will say this. Afterwards, Jake apologized to me at the start of the third period. I apologized to him. But also: Even when the Oilers were down 3-0 at the start of the second period, Wolman gave me a wink, like we’re all good. Then they have the comeback and he scores (in a 5-4 OT win). It’s a lot of fun to be down there in the middle of all of it.”
So actually Boucher may have been starting another career as a referee.
“I banged on the glass,” he said with a laugh, “and told them to cut it out.”
Having played in games from a somewhat stationary position for so many years equipped Boucher to see the game through a different lens.
“That’s what they’re asking me to do,” Boucher said. “I’m not trying to ‘outknowledge’ Eddie from what he knows, I’m just trying to give a different angle from what I’m seeing.”
There has to be a little bit of nostalgia going on here, with two ex-Flyer goaltenders – Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and Edmonton’s Cal Pickard – squaring off against each other.
Boucher can appreciate how much the two teams rely on their netminders.
The Pickard story is particularly compelling because the hockey nomad is working on his sixth NHL team and he’s 7-1 in Stanley Cup playoff action this year. He’s been a tough nut to crack since taking over for No. 1 starter Stuart Skinner.
It’s sort of similar to Boucher’s career journey, which took him to seven different NHL cities.
“It’s a lot of pressure,” Boucher confirmed. “A lot of one foot in the door, one foot out. You never feel like you’re part of thet team’s long-term plans. It’s a bad, unnerving feeling to have. But at the same time it’s a great motivator. This (Pickard saga) could be one of the greatest Stanley Cup Final stories ever.”
After Saturday night’s 5-2 loss at Edmonton, the Oilers might go back to regular starter Stuart Skinner for Game 6.
Boucher and Bobrovsky were actually teammates during the Russian’s rookie season (2010-11) in Philadelphia.
“I always love to see him play, he’s always been one of my favorites to watch,” the Rhode Island native said. “And I can relate to where Pickard is. In 2010, I felt like I was in the same spot as him. Lost my spot to injury (to Michael Leighton) in the second round, came back. . .I know what he (Pickard) is going through, what he’s thinking. He’s so close (to winning the Cup). He’s giving his team a chance.”
As for the Flyers, the popular belief seems to be they are starting to turn the corner with the hiring of ex-player Rick Tocchet as new head coach, plus three No. 1 picks in this year’s draft and plenty of salary cap space on the near horizon.
Boucher and Tocchet were teammates on that 2000 team.
“I think No. 1 he’s a people person,” Boucher said. “He knows how to talk to anybody. He can relate to any type of player. He’s coached Sidney (Crosby), he’s played with Mario (Lemieux) and Wayne (Gretzky). He’s been a grinder, an All-Star, Canada Cup teams and there have been times he’s been pushed out the door.
“He’s seen it all and I think he understands where each player is at in his career. At the end of the day, players want to know that someone is invested in them. When players feel that way, they respond to that. I think he will do well.”
Boucher said the Flyers’ future should look a bit brighter.
“They went through the hard part (with the rebuild), had to strip players,” he said. “Get rid of the ‘dead’ money. You start to feel some optimism, what it can be in a couple years.
“That to me is exciting.”
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