Robin Bouchard back in the fold
Published on June 30, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI.--- Armed with an armada of four Colonial Cup crowns through the past six calendar years, the United Hockey League's currently reigning two time coronated kings, the Muskegon Fury, are making great positive, progressive strides in assembling their roster for the 2005-06 campaign. Beginning the business of addressing plans for their on-ice encore act, in an attempted successful bid for a third consecutive crown, the Fury have negotiated another major step with the return of the franchise most prominent on-ice personality and star.
On this date, the Fury Team Owner and Club President Tony Lisman, in concert with Director of Hockey Operations / Head Coach Todd Nelson, have announced that perennial all-star right wing ROBIN BOUCHARD will return for his tenth season under the Fury banner.
BOUCHARD, 31, will actually be embarking on his 12th pro season overall when he makes it an even decade resplen-dent in the Fury coat or arms. Being, perhaps, recognized as the most electrifying and entertaining star-studded stand-out in the Fury's rich-winning history, the 5-11, 190lb rocket-rifling right wing recently climaxed yet another enormous season of goal-scoring cannoneering and point-production prowess. In spearheading his team's torrid, titanic capturing of the 2004-05 Central Division, Tarry Cup and ultimate Colonial Cup Championships, the Muskegon icon laid claim to his third consecutive Fury team scoring title in finishing fourth overall in the UHL scoring derby. In 73-games, he amassed 98-points on 43-goals, 55-assists, recording a superb +20 rating with 171-PIM, a team best 256-SOG along with 8-FG, 5-GWG and a 5/12 marksmanship in the OTSO for a rating of a superb 41.7%. For a league-record sixth time, he led the UHL in PPG with 22 while his 43-goals ranked as second most in the league. Considered the most feared premiere cannoneer in the circuit, Bouchard also led the UHL in power play/points with 50 and multiple- goal games with 11. He also engineered a remarkable five 5-point game performances and culminated the campaign by capturing, for an unprecedented ninth straight year, the Fury Most Popular Player Award as well as being named to the UHL's Second All-Star Team.
In the Fury climb to Colonial Cup IV, the French-Canadian from Jonquiere, PQ tied for fifth in league-wide scoring with 14(8-9-17), 2-PPG, 2-GWG, 1-OT/GWG and a stellar +8 rating. Bouchard was especially effective in Muskegon's 5-games' dismissal of Danbury in the semi-finals, cannonading a colossal 7-goals, including that one GWG/OT goal.
Having achieved the extraordinary distinction of being the lone member of all four Fury Colonial Cup Championship teams, Bouchard also stands alone in the history of the United Hockey League. The Fury's famous #32 is the only player in league annals to have his name etched on the league's most coveted crown a record five times.
With the Fury's all-time leading scoring virtuoso set to return for another season, Fury coach Nelson's master plan blue print for another successful title defense has been officially launched and the Muskegon bench pacer could not be more pleased. "It is our primary objective to keep our key core players intact for next season. With the signing of Todd Robinson to a multi-year deal last week and the announced return of Robin Bouchard this week, we now have established our starting points. Robin is coming off a truly great season. He is a leader on the ice and in the dressing room. He is still very hungry to play and win more championships. He continues to be a major part of our organiza-tion's success both on the ice and in our tremendous hockeytown and community."
As for "Rockin' Robin" with his unabashed style and profile, he is always enthused about his team and another new season. "Obviously, I'm very excited to be coming back for another season with the Fury. It will be my tenth year in Muskegon and I can't think of anything better than going for the âthree-peat.' To win it, again, would be fabulous. Living here and playing here have become very special for me. My family is settled here, we really enjoy our lives here and it just makes sense for us and for me to finish my playing career here in Muskegon. We're really looking forward to next season!"
In the year of Colonial Cup III in 2003-04, Bouchard was utterly brilliant as he captured his first-ever UHL scoring title while making all-time pro hockey history. In 76-games, he authored 120-points on 55-goals, 65-assists accruing 136-PIM and a solid +16 rating. In addition, he penned a permanent prominent page for all-time in the books of professional hockey history. "Bouch Almighty" made his Muskegon mark of majesty and immortality when he shattered an 83-year-old record for the most consecutive games' goal-scoring streak when he fired a prodigious 21-goals in a 17-games' streak, smashing the NHL record of 1921. He culminated that campaign by earning his third UHL First Team All-Star berth.
Bouchard's colorful, populist persona coupled with his extraordinary on-ice achievements and exploits are those that spawn special legend-like status. A four-time 50-goal artisan and three time century-point plateau architect, he will commence the new season as his team's all-time career king colossus. Bouchard is #1 all-time for the Fury in goals (369); assists (363), points (732); GWG (56) and PPG (147). His 569-games and 1,262-PIM rank #2 all-time for the Fury.
Meanwhile, for his entire UHL career, the flamboyant francophone ranks near the top all-time in virtually every major offensive category. His 431-goals, 168-PPG and 61-GWG all rank second most in league history while his 857-points l and 658-games rank a lofty fourth most for the league record book. His UHL career totals: 658(431-426-857) with 1,569-PIM (6th).
As far as his complete 11-year pro career is concerned, Bouchard will broach the next new season approaching the precipice of two magnificent personal milestones; namely 500-goals and 1,000-points. The "Gun-Sling King" is just 12-goals away from 500 at 488 and only 22-points hence from 1,000 with 978. Moreover with 490-assists, he is just 10-helpers away from 500 in that department as well. His all-time pro career numbers read: 764(488-490-978) with 1,865-PIM.
Bouchard also dominates the UHL's Colonial Cup Playoffs' record book, holding seven career marks. He is #1 all-time in most playoffs games played: 116; most goals: 64; most GWG: 14; most PPG: 26 (tied); most SOG: 432; most playoffs participated in: 10; most Colonial Cups: 5.
With the return of ROBIN BOUCHARD, the Fury now have their top two all-time leading scorers under contract for the 2005-06 season. Last week, the Muskegon announced the signing of center TODD ROBINSON to a new three-year deal.
International Hockey League 2 Stories from June 30, 2005
- Barnaby, Ray and Daneyko to headline Frostbite Celebrity Golf Classic - Adirondack Frostbite
- Vipers reveal name of new mascot - Roanoke Valley Vipers
- Robin Bouchard back in the fold - Muskegon Lumberjacks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
