Matthew Boucher Named ECHL Rookie of the Year

Utah’s Boucher named ECHL Rookie of the Year

PRINCETON, N.J. – The ECHL on Monday announced that Matthew Boucher of the Utah Grizzlies has been named ECHL Rookie of the Year and the recipient of the John A. Daley Memorial Trophy. 

The award is presented annually to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the ECHL as determined in a vote of ECHL coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media members. The trophy was named in honor of John A. Daley in 1997. Daley, who passed away in 1996, was one of the founding fathers of the ECHL, serving as general manger and minority owner of the Johnstown Chiefs from the inception of the team in 1988 until 1994. 

Dean Stewart of Wichita finished second, followed by Wichita’s Evan Weninger, Joseph Garreffa of Orlando and Wichita’s Jay Dickman. 

The ECHL will announce the winner of the Coach of the Year and recipient of the John Brophy Award on Tuesday. 

Boucher, who was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team last week, leads ECHL rookies with 25 goals and 52 points and was fifth with 27 assists. His 209 shots on goal lead first-year players while he is tied for second with four power-play goals and tied for fourth with 11 power-play points.

Prior to turning pro, Boucher tallied 60 points (31g-29a) in 57 career games at the University of New Brunswick and had 192 points (96g-96a) in 241 career games in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Blainville-Boisbriand, Drummondville and Quebec.

The Grizzlies are facing the Allen Americans in the first round of the 2021 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Game 1 of the best of 5 series is on Tuesday, June 8 at 7:05 CT. Utah’s home games for the series will be games 3-5 on Friday, June 11 and if necessary June 12 for game 4 and June 14 for game 5.

ECHL Rookie of the Year Winners

2020-21           Matthew Boucher, Utah Grizzlies

2019-20           Tyler Sheehy, Allen Americans

2018-19           Chris Collins, Kalamazoo Wings

2017-18           Justin Danforth, Cincinnati Cyclones

2016-17           Tyson Spink, Toledo Walleye

2015-16           Matt Willows, Florida Everblades

2014-15           Tyler Barnes, Toledo Walleye

2013-14           William Rapuzzi, Idaho Steelheads

2012-13           Ryan Zapolski, South Carolina Stingrays

2011-12           Dustin Gazley, Elmira Jackals

2010-11           Ben Street, Wheeling Nailers

2009-10           Justin Donati, Elmira Jackals

2008-09           Bryan Ewing, Wheeling Nailers

2007-08           David Desharnais, Cincinnati Cyclones2006-07           Colton Fretter, Gwinnett Gladiators2005-06           Alex Leavitt, Alaska Aces2004-05           Joe Tenute, South Carolina Stingrays2003-04           Kevin Doell, Gwinnett Gladiators2002-03           Jason Jaffray, Roanoke Express2001-02           Frederic Cloutier, Louisiana IceGators2000-01           Scott Stirling, Trenton Titans1999-00           Jan Lasak, Hampton Roads Admirals1998-99           Maxime Gingras, Richmond Renegades1997-98           Sean Venedam, Toledo Storm1996-97           Dany Bousquet, Birmingham Bulls1995-96           Keli Corpse, Wheeling Thunderbirds1994-95           Kevin McKinnon, Erie Panthers1993-94           Dan Gravelle, Greensboro Monarchs1992-93           Joe Flanagan, Birmingham Bulls1991-92           Darren Colbourne, Dayton Bombers1990-91           Dan Gauthier, Knoxville Cherokees1989-90           Bill McDougall, Erie Panthers1988-89           Tom Sasso, Johnstown Chiefs