Paul Boutilier, a former NHL defenseman who was part of the New York Islanders' Stanley Cup championship team in the early 1980s, has died, the NHL Alumni Association announced. He was 63.
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No cause of death was disclosed.
"We send our deepest condolences to Paul's family, friends, and former teammates during this incredibly difficult time," the organization said in a statement.
Boutilier played parts of nine NHL seasons, including five with the New York Islanders from 1981 to 1986. He also had stints with the Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets.
The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Paul Boutilier has passed away at the age of 63.
A defenseman, Paul played major junior hockey with the QMJHL’s Sherbrooke Castors beginning in 1980, and was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round of the… pic.twitter.com/5VJ8aLNXhi
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) May 14, 2026
He appeared in 29 regular-season games during the 1982-83 campaign and played in two postseason contests as the Islanders secured the final title of their four-year championship run, earning his name on the Stanley Cup.
A first-round pick by New York in the 1981 NHL Draft, Boutilier made his NHL debut later that year and went on to appear in 213 regular-season games with the Islanders, along with 36 playoff games.
Internationally, he represented Canada and won a gold medal at the 1982 World Junior Championship.
Following his playing career, Boutilier moved into coaching, serving as an assistant and later head coach at Saint Mary's University in Canada from 1991 to 1997.
