Minnesota hockey legend Henry Boucha dies: "A hockey life like few others"
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota hockey legend Henry Boucha has died at 72 years old.
On Monday evening, the Minnesota Wild posted a tribute to social media, saying Boucha was a "hockey life like few others."
His was a hockey life like few others in the State of Hockey. RIP to the legend of Warroad, Hockeytown USA’s own Henry Boucha ❤️ 💚 pic.twitter.com/t4EsV0uRT3
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) September 19, 2023
Boucha helped lead Warroad to the state finals in 1969, losing by one goal to Edina.
"When Henry was on the ice and when he had the puck, it was different," described Jay Hardwick, Warroad Hockey Head Coach. "It was, you know, people would kind of just hold their breath and, and stand in their seats and, kind of just watch it on, you know, what's he going to do now?"
Boucha went on to play in the Winter Olympics, winning a silver medal in 1972. He then played in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings and the Minnesota North Stars before an eye injury ended his career.
"As a youngster, of course, was 19 I think, just turning 20," said Mike "Lefty Curran, Boucha's Olympic teammate. "Was probably the best hockey player that we had on the club that year."
"When Henry made it to the levels that he made it to and became as legendary as he did, it just kept all of us the next, like, half generation younger than him. So it was always there for us to know that it's okay to play and be involved in athletics and strive to do some of the things Henry did," said Son Shaugaby, Warroad Hockey Coach.
Boucha later wrote a book about being one of three Native American men to play in the NHL. One of the others is his cousin, T.J. Oshie.
Hockey Day Minnesota organizers are discussing how to honor their hometown hero at the event in Warroad in January. The 2024 jerseys were already planned to have a vintage design, a throwback to Boucha's time on the ice.