Bouchard Returns to the 'Jacks
January 8, 2009 - International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Armed with the mighty, unprecedented achievements of the most-ever championships in UHL and Muskegon pro hockey history as well as attaining all-time fame and acclaim as one of the greatest goal-scoring wizards in the annals of minor pro hockey, veteran right wing ROBIN BOUCHARD has returned to the Muskegon Lumberjacks for the remainder of the present 2008-09 International Hockey League season.
On this date, the Lumberjacks General Manager / Governor Tim Taylor, in concert with Head Coach Bruce Ramsay, have announced that BOUCHARD has assented to terms and signed a standard player contract for the rest of the campaign. Adhering to club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
BOUCHARD, 35, is currently in the midst of his 15th pro season and his 12th now in Muskegon resplendent in the new Lumberjacks colors and coat of arms. Perhaps, most recognized and acknowledged as the most electrifying and entertaining star-studded standout and icon in the rich winning history and heritage of Muskegon pro hockey, the 5-11, 185lb rocket-rifling right wing is returning to the home of his most memorable Muskegon moments of magic, majesty and mastery following an earlier stint this season in the Central Hockey League (CHL) with the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. Upon his departure from that CHL club's exotic burg, he was the Killer Bees second top scoring architect, recording 28-points in 27-games on 8-goals, 20-assists with 6-PPG and +1 rating.
"Rockin' Robin" returns to the Muskegon aggregation nation following another outstanding campaign in 2007-08 when Muskegon marked its second coming to the IHL. Finishing tied for 10th place in league-wide scoring with his teammate Billy Collins, Bouchard registered 71-points in 66-games on 30-goals, 41-assists with a league second-best of 17-PPG and a team-best 5-GWG. In 2007-08, Muskegon famous #32 had made another comeback to his adopted hometown following a 2006-07 season spent globetrotting overseas for the first time in his fabled and storied career as he traveled to Italy to star for Bolzano HC.
"The Gun-Sling King's" enormous achievements of goal-cannoneering, point-production prowess and record-break-ing, history-making accomplishments are utterly legendary as he has become one of the most decorated players to ever grace and adorn the hallowed halls of Muskegon pro hockey and all of minor pro hockey history.
As Muskegon's all-time career scoring kingpin, Bouchard ranks #1 all-time in goals (458); points (919), GWG (70); PPG (198); games (709) and PIM (1,606).
In the 2005-06 season alone, he became the greatest goal-scorer ever in UHL history while also attaining his 500th overall pro career goal and 1,000th pro career point. That season, he became the first Muskegon player ever to capture two individual league scoring crowns, sharing the latter one with linemate Jeff Nelson. Moreover, the Jonquiere, PQ product authored the second longest point-scoring streak in league history when he registered points in his team's first 27-games for 52-total points. In the process, he fell a mere one game shy of the all-time league standard of 28-straight games. His 59-goals that season were a club record as were his 34-PPG, the second most-ever delivered league-wide in the latter category. His 34-PPG led the league for a third consecutive year and unprecedented seventh time in his illustrious career.
His 490-UHL goals rank #1 all-time and 973-points rank #3 in UHL history. Named Muskegon's Most Popular Player for 11-consecutive years, he is the lone member of all four Muskegon Colonial Cup Championship teams and the only player in UHL history to have been a member of five Colonial Cup title teams.
Muskegon's most majestic marquee marksman maintained his magical mastery in maestroing 98-more points in 2004-05, to lead his team and finish fourth in league-wide point-productivity. In 2003-04, he claimed his first league scoring crown with (55-65-120). That season, he shattered the 83-year-old all-time pro hockey record for most consecutive games goal-scoring streak, scoring goals in 17-consecutive games (21-goals), smashing the NHL record from 1921. In 2002-03, he finished second in league scoring with (43-55-98). In 1998-99, he set the league record for GWG with 11.
"Bouch Almighty" owns Muskegon club record for most 50-goal seasons with 4; most 40-goal seasons with 7 and most 30-goal seasons (10).
For his UHL career, he was #1 all-time in goals (490); PPG (202); GWG (70). His 483-assists, 973-points and 732-games all rank #3 all-time in a UHL career.
In the history of the UHL Colonial Cup Playoffs, he totally dominates the retired record book; holding records in seven different categories including games (128); goals (71); GWG (15); PPG (28); SOG (471); most playoffs participated in (11); most Colonial Cups (5).
Now in his 15th pro season, Bouchard continues to climb the list as one of the all-time great scoring artisans in the history of minor pro hockey.
For his all-time pro career, he has played 959-games, has scored 603-goals, 636-assists and 1,239-points. In all-time minor pro hockey history, Bouchard ranks 6th in goals (603) and 19th in total points (1,239).
Bouchard will be in the lineup this weekend as the Lumberjacks launch an extended 5-game home stand this Friday and Saturday nights when they tackle the top two teams in the IHL. Second place Port Huron comes to town Friday night followed by league-leading Kalamazoo Saturday night with both games on the docket for 7:00 pm at Walker Arena.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from January 8, 2009
- Olivier Legault suspended - IHL 2
- K-Wings Streak Snapped at Four - Kalamazoo Wings
- Countdown to Face-Off - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Are Searching for the Perfect Couple to Get Married on Pink Ice - Kalamazoo Wings
- Adding to the Broadcast Team - Kalamazoo Wings
- Icehawks Extend Road Winning Streak To Seven Games - Port Huron Icehawks
- Bouchard Returns to the 'Jacks - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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