Tampa Bay Lightning's Coach, Guy Boucher | By Ronda M. Parag

Born in Quebec, Canada, Lightning Head Coach Guy Boucher (pronounced Gee boo-SHAY) played hockey in college for Montreal’s McGill University, and as a pro in France. Boucher graduated with degrees in history and biosystems engineering and a masters degree in sports psychology and married to wife, Marsha with 3 children; twin daughters and a son. Turning 40 on August 7, Boucher is the youngest head coach in the NHL. “People made a big fuss about it and I was trying not to make one,” said Boucher. “I don’t think it was a pride thing, but you go in there at my age and you don’t want to prove that you’re too young and you don’t want to make it seem like you’re not ready, so it was important for me to make it a reality that it was something positive as opposed to something negative.”

Boucher enjoys his job and states that every day is an adventure meeting with players, the general manager and coaching staff to prepare for the next opponent. “It’s a lot of fun and it’s very different every day, but it also has a sense of being a tornado every day.”

The past season was completely unexpected for most fans. When asked about being one game away from playing in the Stanley Cup Finals, Coach Boucher laughs and says “Well, to be honest, I’m still feeling it. I wake up every day and I’m thinking ‘just one goal away.’ You can’t help but think that we were right there and that we were good enough to play against Vancouver. But I think the outcome is what is going to make us very hungry come next season. Not disappointed, but hungry and willing to go get that last prize.”

In the Bay area now for almost a year, Metro chatted with Coach Boucher and learned a bit about his inspirations, what makes him laugh and plans for next season.

M: What has been the proudest moment of your career?

B: This might sound a little funny, but it was in midget hockey. I took a team that was really, really weak and turned it around. It turned out to be a successful program and after that by the end of the year, we had eight players from the team in the Draft and we made it to the championship game.

M: What has been the most difficult experience
or toughest challenge?

B: To me there is never any limit to what we can do, and sometimes it’s hard when we’ve created a chemistry with a lot of players, and to see that we’ve all evolved, and then when the year is over to part with that. It’s difficult to let some guys go after they’ve been essentially part of your family for the past eight, nine, ten months, whatever the case may be. I have this loyal bone in my body, so that makes it more difficult for me to accept. I have a tendency to get real close with the players and to get emotionally involved.

M: What makes you laugh?

B: Clumsiness. Sometimes those aren’t the best circumstances under which to laugh, but a lot of the time I can’t help it. I think falling is very funny, even if it’s myself, I can laugh at what I did and be okay with that. I have sort of that Charlie Chaplin and Three Stooges kind of humor. Kind of ridiculous things.

M: Do you have any bad habits?

B: A lot of them. Just ask my wife. I think my worst is that I will check, re-check and re-check again some things a hundred times. I have to be sure, but I wouldn’t say I’m a perfectionist because that implies that I try to be perfect, which in my mind is unattainable and unrealistic. I would say I’m overly persistent.

M: What is currently playing on your iPod?

B: Well, this might be a little embarrassing, but I actually don’t own an iPod. But if I did, I would have classical music. A lot of people find that funny and they laugh, but I find it relaxing, and the hardest thing for an NHL coach is to relax, so I enjoy it. I also really like movie soundtracks.

M: Do you have any fun trips planned for this summer?

B: I just recently got back from Costa Rica, which was very beautiful and a lot of fun. I’m also going up to our cottage with the family, outside of New Brunswick.

M: What books are you currently reading?

B: Right now, Tony Dungy’s book, Quiet Strength. I also really enjoy books by John C. Maxwell, a favorite author of mine.

M: Do you have any favorite quotes?

B: My favorite is “It’s not what happens to you in life, it’s how you react to it.”