Memories of the Islanders' last dynasty Cup come to memory after Paul Boutilier's death at 63
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Daniel Lucente
May 15, 2026 (5:43 PM)
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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Paul Boutilier's passing at 63 puts Peter DeBoer's Islanders back in touch with a dynasty name from their greatest blue line era.
Boutilier's career is tied to the Islanders' fourth straight Stanley Cup, the final ring of a run that still defines the franchise.
The NHL Alumni Association announced his passing Thursday, and the message carried weight because Boutilier's hockey path stretched far beyond one sweater.
He was selected 21st overall by New York in 1981 after major junior time with the Sherbrooke Castors in the QMJHL.
Boutilier made his NHL debut on October 31, 1981, at the Montreal Forum, then returned to junior before pushing back into the Islanders' picture.
Paul Boutilier leaves a deeper hockey file
His first NHL goal came on November 18, 1982, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a building that became a pressure cooker for visiting teams.
Boutilier appeared in 2 playoff games during the 1983 Cup run, a small number with a large place in Islanders history.
He later played for the Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, and Winnipeg Jets, finishing with 288 regular-season games.
Boutilier returned to Nova Scotia and coached at Saint Mary's University, moving from assistant coach to head coach.
That shift tells the hockey story behind the résumé. He stayed close to the bench, close to players, and close to the teaching side of the game.
Internationally, Boutilier also represented Canada, highlighted by gold at the 1982 World Junior Championship.
For Islanders fans, his name belongs to a Cup chapter. For Nova Scotia hockey, he was part of the province's coaching fabric.
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| POLL | ||
MAI 15|132 ANSWERS Memories of the Islanders' last dynasty Cup come to memory after Paul Boutilier's death at 63 Should the Islanders honor Paul Boutilier's 1983 Cup link this season ? | ||
| Yes | 96 | 72.7 % |
| No | 36 | 27.3 % |
| List of polls | ||