1972-73 O-Pee-Chee 203 Dan Bouchard Hockey Card (Front)
1972-73 O-Pee-Chee 203 Dan Bouchard Hockey Card (Back)
1972-73 O-Pee-Chee NHL Checklist
Audio Version at Spotify
Card Notes
The American League’s All-Star goaltender in 1971-72 Dan is regarded as one of the most promising goaltenders in pro hockey today. His play in Flames’ early-season games helped them get one of the best starts ever made by a new NHL team. Was chosen by Atlanta in the 1972 Expansion Draft from Boston.
En Français
Meilleur gardien de la Ligue Américaine en 1971-72. On dit qu’il a un très bel avenir comme professionnel. Il aida les Flames à bien démarrer dans la LNH. Il fut choisi par Atlanta au repêchage de l’expansion de 1972. Il appartenait auparavant à Boston.
Details
A second round pick by the Boston Bruins at the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft after a year of major junior hockey with the London Knights, Dan Bouchard starred with their AHL affiliate in 1971-72. Playing 50 games for the Boston Braves, his 2.51 goals against average earned him the Harry “Hap” Holmes Award. The Braves finished first overall but were swept in the semi-final by the Nova Scotia Voyageurs.
At the 1972 NHL Expansion Draft, Bouchard was the third overall pick and the second selection by the Atlanta Flames. Their first pick was Phil Myre while the New York Islanders also took goaltenders with their first two picks in Gerry Desjardins and Billy Smith.
With the expansion Flames in 1972-73, Dan and Myre shared time between the pipes. Each had two shutouts, although Bouchard’s carried more weight. Myre twice shutout their expansion cousins from Long Island. Dan blanked two Original 6 team, the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.
On December 13, 1972 at Detroit Olympia, Dan turned away all 46 shots by the Red Wings in the 2-0 win. Both Atlanta goals were scored by Curt Bennett and both were assisted by Billy MacMillan and Keith McCreary. This was Bouchard’s first career NHL shutout and the second in Atlanta Flames history. He would go on to record 27 over his career.
On January 12, 1973, the Flames hosted the Maple Leafs at the Omni in Atlanta. This time, Dan turned away all 38 shots while Larry Romanchych scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory. In the nets for Toronto was the legendary Jacques Plante.
Between 1972-73 and 1985-86, Bouchard appeared in 655 regular season and 43 Stanley Cup playoff games in the National Hockey League. He moved with the Flames franchise to Calgary in 1980-81 and also played for the Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets.