Bruce Boudreau Inducted Into AHL Hall of Fame

Since arriving in the District of Columbia 14 months ago, Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau has brought his A-game.

And yesterday, he reached another pinnacle of success as a man, a hockey coach, and a competitor.

“Gabby,” as the local media has coined him, was honored to be inducted into the American Hockey League’s Hall of Fame for his contributions, and dedication to the development of minor league hockey.

“This is a very humbling experience when you see all of these great players and great people that are up here,” said a jubilant Boudreau during a luncheon honoring all of this year’s inductees and AHL all-stars.

Boudreau was full of gratitude, and continued thanking the folks he had met along the way, who remain a keen influence on him to this very day.

“I owe the American Hockey League everything quite frankly,” Boudreau said.  “Over the 30-plus years that I’ve played and coached, the American Hockey League has been a part of it all.”

The AHL Hall of Fame was founded in 2006 (the league’s 70th anniversary).

It currently has 18 members.

He has guided numerous young hockey players to achieve their greatest potential, and has called upon those puck punishers on many occasions this NHL season.

The Capitals have completed the best first half ever in a season, with a 30-15-3 record (61 points).

Tonight will mark the third meeting between the second-place Capitals in the Eastern Conference, and the conference-leading Boston Bruins (34-8-5, 73 points).

Washington has won both games, and wants to put out a notice to the major NHL hockey markets, that DC is for real.

For a few brief moments, it was his time to shine.

This experience brought out the nostalgic side of Boudreau, as he took the podium to accept this high reward.

Flanked by his wife Crystal, and 10-year-old son Brady, Boudreau shared several stories with the enthusiastic audience.

He spoke about his playing days in New Brunswick, Edmonton, and Baltimore, among other places.

He singled out Bruce Landon, the longtime General Manager of the Springfield Massachusetts Hawks, and Hershey Bears General Manager Doug Yingst, as lifelong hockey friends.

Yingst was cited as a key figure for getting Boudreau promoted to Washington back in 2007.

His comments about his first five games as an NHL coach, induced many bouts of laughter and knowing grins from the admiring guests.

“I went on a little tirade about the referees in the paper,” said Boudreau. “Instead of getting the $200 fine like in the AHL, Capitals General Manager George McPhee (Boudreau’s new boss) comes in and says (NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell) wants to talk to you. Colin said to me you do it again, and it is $10,000.  That was the last time I said anything negative about a referee.”

You mean not to their faces—right, coach?

Boudreau was a prolific scorer in the AHL, earning 799 career points, as a member of the Springfield Hawks.

His 316 goals scored rank him 14th in AHL history.

While his 483 career assists rank him 11th in AHL history.

His 1.26 points-per-game average is the second-best mark for players who reached 500 career points.

This production led to him winning the scoring title for the 1987-1988 AHL season.

Boudreau’s memory of this season was not one that he remembers was particularly satisfying.

For good reason, if you are a fierce competitor like big Bruce.

“I was leading our team by 60 points, and the next closest guy was Todd McLellan, now the San Jose Sharks coach,” Boudreau said. “Todd got called up and I was so angry.  But I couldn’t get called up.  I was on an American League Hockey contract and you had to be on a NHL deal.  I understand that now.”

His playing career ended with the Adirondack Red Wings in 1992.

He captured the Calder Trophy in that year, and also 13 years later with Hershey Bears, sans the uniform.

His fighting spirit has served him well, and he hopes to continue this march in Washington towards Lord Stanley’s Cup.

If his coaching days in the heart of our nation’s capital does not work out, “Gabby” always has a place to call home.”

Somehow, I think he will stick around a little bit longer.

Capitals Notes

Among the NHL inductees was the Capitals' first coach in history—Jimmy Anderson.

Defensemen Tom Poti (groin pull) and Shaone Morrisonn (concussion-like symptoms) are questionable for Tuesday’s game versus the Bruins.

Defenseman Karl Alner was recalled from Hershey before Monday's practice.