Laurie Boschman

Laurie Boschman
Born	(1960-06-04) June 4, 1960 Major, Saskatchewan, Canada
Occupation	Professional ice hockey centre
Years active	1979–1993
Known for	NHL player for Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators; first captain of Ottawa Senators

Laurie Joseph Boschman (born June 4, 1960) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who competed in the NHL for 14 seasons, representing the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, and Ottawa Senators. He had the distinction of being the first captain of the Ottawa Senators during his concluding NHL campaign. Originating from Major, Saskatchewan and raised in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, Boschman is among a select group of only 17 NHL players to have amassed over 500 points alongside more than 2,000 penalty minutes as of the 2023 season.

Junior hockey

Boschman's junior career began with two partial seasons at the Brandon Travellers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (1975–76) before he transitioned late in the 1976–77 season to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL). He participated in three games that season, contributing one assist, and added a goal with two total points during 12 playoff contests. The Wheat Kings advanced to the WCHL finals but were ultimately defeated by the New Westminster Bruins.

In his initial full WCHL season (1977–78), Boschman tallied 42 goals and accumulated 99 points across 72 games while incurring 227 penalty minutes, playing a key role in Brandon securing the league's top regular-season record. During the playoffs, he recorded seven points over six games before the team was ousted based on goal differential.

The 1978–79 season marked Boschman’s offensive surge, as he netted 66 goals and totaled 149 points in just 65 games, finishing just behind linemates Brian Propp and Ray Allison in scoring. The Wheat Kings dominated with a remarkable 58–5–9 record and an astounding 491 goals scored. In postseason play, Boschman contributed 11 goals and 34 points throughout 22 games, spearheading Brandon’s capture of the President's Cup and securing a spot in the Memorial Cup tournament. At the Memorial Cup, he posted three goals and seven points in five games, helping lead his team to the final where they fell to the Peterborough Petes in overtime. His outstanding performance earned him selections to both the WHL first all-star team and the Memorial Cup first all-star team.

Toronto Maple Leafs

During the 1979 NHL entry draft, with only one selection available within the first two rounds, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Punch Imlach chose Boschman ninth overall ahead of teammate Brian Propp. Making his NHL debut at age 19 on October 10, 1979, Boschman assisted on a goal in a 6–3 loss against the New York Rangers. He scored his inaugural NHL goal on November 7 against goaltender Ed Staniowski during a 7–4 victory over the St. Louis Blues, followed by his first multi-goal effort on November 10 in an 8–4 win against the Winnipeg Jets. Boschman completed all 80 games of the 1979–80 NHL season, registering 16 goals and totaling 48 points. The Maple Leafs qualified for the 1980 Stanley Cup playoffs but were swept by the Minnesota North Stars; Boschman contributed one goal and two points over three playoff matches. During this rookie season, he embraced born-again Christianity with encouragement from teammate Ron Ellis, who organized Sunday worship sessions.

In the following 1980–81 AHL season, Boschman appeared in four games for the New Brunswick Hawks, scoring four goals and five points while accumulating 47 penalty minutes. That year was marred by health challenges including blood poisoning and mononucleosis which impacted his performance. Returning to Toronto’s roster, he tallied 14 goals and collected 33 points along with 178 penalty minutes across 53 NHL contests. After replacing head coach Joe Crozier with Mike Nykoluk, Boschman was appointed an alternate captain. The Leafs reached postseason play but were eliminated by the New York Islanders, with Boschman failing to register any points in three games.

The 1981–82 NHL season brought organizational upheaval when Imlach resigned following a heart attack, allowing owner Harold Ballard to assume greater authority over team operations. Following a November 25, 1981 tie against the New York Rangers, Ballard publicly criticized Boschman’s on-ice contributions and asserted that his religious beliefs were detrimentally affecting his performance; he even suggested demoting him to the AHL. Boschman refuted these claims but Ballard persisted in labeling him "soft." Boschman's agent Bill Watters maintained that any reassignment would require either a trade or guaranteed playing time with Toronto. Despite suffering from a stomach ulcer in January, Boschman was assigned to the Central Hockey League’s Cincinnati Tigers but never took to their lineup. Ballard further accused him of conspiring with agent Alan Eagleson.

Edmonton Oilers

Amid a roster overhaul, Maple Leafs GM McNamara sent Laurie Boschman to the Edmonton Oilers on March 8, 1982, receiving winger Walt Poddubny and prospect Phil Drouillard in return. Boschman made his Oilers debut two days later on March 10, netting his first goal for the club three days afterward. He closed the 1981–82 campaign with two goals and five points across 11 games as Edmonton secured the Smythe Division title. During the 1982 postseason, Boschman added one assist in three appearances before the Oilers were ousted by the Los Angeles Kings.

In the following 1982–83 season, Boschman tallied eight goals and 20 points in 62 games but faced a three-game suspension due to leaving the bench to engage in a fight during a match against the Calgary Flames. On March 7, 1983, Edmonton traded him to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Willy Lindström.

Winnipeg Jets

Boschman appeared in 12 games for Winnipeg during the 1982–83 season, scoring three goals and accumulating eight points. He debuted on March 9, 1983, contributing to a shutout victory over Buffalo and recorded his inaugural goal for the Jets on March 18 versus Toronto. The Jets advanced to the playoffs but were swept by Edmonton in the Smythe Division semi-finals.

The 1983–84 season represented Boschman's breakout performance, as he amassed 28 goals, 74 points, and 234 penalty minutes over 61 games. Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder in December, he returned in January and achieved multiple four-point outings. The Jets reached the playoffs again but were swept once more by Edmonton; Boschman managed one assist in three postseason contests. Following the season, he underwent surgery to repair his shoulder.

In 1984–85, Boschman elevated his game further with 32 goals and 76 points across 80 games, including recording his first career hat trick against Los Angeles. He posted several four-point games and played a key role as the Jets won a playoff series against Calgary before being swept by Edmonton in the Smythe Division final. Boschman contributed two goals and three points throughout eight playoff matches.

During the 1985–86 campaign, Boschman scored 27 goals and totaled 69 points while setting a personal best with 241 penalty minutes. The Jets qualified for postseason play but were swept by Calgary; Boschman added one assist over three playoff games. His offensive numbers dropped in 1986–87 to 17 goals and 41 points over an 80-game stretch. The Jets defeated Calgary in the opening round but fell again to Edmonton; Boschman recorded two goals and five points during ten playoff contests.

In the 1987–88 season, Boschman played every one of Winnipeg’s 80 games, registering 25 goals and 48 points along with substantial penalty minutes. He notched his second career hat trick against Calgary. The Jets reached the playoffs but were eliminated by Edmonton in the first round; Boschman contributed one goal and four points across five games.

Boschman's output declined during an injury-riddled 1988–89 season when he managed only 10 goals and 36 points over 70 games. After missing time early on due to a leg injury, he returned to action but Winnipeg failed to qualify for postseason play. Trade speculation involving Boschman surfaced throughout this period.

The downward trend continued into the 1989–90 season as Boschman recorded just 10 goals and 27 points in 66 games amid persistent trade rumors. He was suspended for eight games following an altercation with Los Angeles forward Tomas Sandström. His ice time diminished late in the year and he was scratched for most of Winnipeg’s first-round playoff series loss to Edmonton; Boschman did not register any points in two postseason appearances.

Seeking new opportunities, Boschman requested a trade after that season concluded. On September 6, 1990, Winnipeg dealt him to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Bob Brooke.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils' general manager, Lou Lamoriello, made back-to-back trades to enhance the squad, with Boschman being the second key acquisition following the earlier addition of Claude Lemieux from the Montreal Canadiens. Boschman made his first appearance for New Jersey on October 4, 1990, in a 3–3 draw against the Detroit Red Wings. He netted his initial two goals for the Devils on October 13 during a 5–3 victory over the Calgary Flames, playing alongside Troy Crowder and Al Stewart. Throughout the 1990–91 campaign, Boschman participated in 78 games, contributing 11 goals and 20 points while accumulating 79 penalty minutes—his lowest total since his rookie season. The Devils secured a spot in the post-season but were ousted in the opening round by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Charged with containing Penguins superstar Mario Lemieux, Boschman managed one goal and two points over seven playoff matches.

In the 1991–92 season, Boschman took part in 75 games, scoring eight goals and amassing 28 points alongside 121 penalty minutes. He began the season on a line with Pat Conacher and Doug Brown, where he played a vital role as a faceoff specialist. That year, the Devils posted their best regular-season record up to that point and advanced to the 1992 Stanley Cup playoffs, where they faced the top-ranked New York Rangers in a tightly contested seven-game first-round series, ultimately falling short. Boschman contributed one goal during these playoff encounters.

Ottawa Senators

During the offseason, Lamoriello notified Boschman that he would be left unprotected for the 1992 NHL expansion draft, though he was skeptical about him being picked. On June 18, 1992, the Ottawa Senators selected Boschman as one of their few players with NHL experience. Prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, he was appointed as the inaugural captain in franchise history. Given Ottawa’s limited NHL talent at the time, Boschman’s responsibilities grew considerably. He participated in Ottawa’s first-ever game on October 8, 1992—a 5–3 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens. Boschman scored his debut goal for Ottawa on October 27 against goaltender Tom Barrasso during a 7–2 defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins. On April 10, 1993, he achieved a hat trick against Glenn Healy in a 5–3 victory, marking Ottawa’s first road win after enduring a 39-game losing streak away from home. Over 70 games with Ottawa, Boschman recorded nine goals and totaled 16 points. The Senators did not qualify for the playoffs, and Boschman’s last NHL appearance occurred on April 14 in a 4–2 loss to the Boston Bruins. Once again exposed in the 1993 NHL expansion draft, he was not selected. Following just one season with Ottawa, Boschman’s contract was bought out by the team.

Fife Flyers

During the 1994–95 season of the British Hockey League, Boschman had a short stint with the Fife Flyers, where he achieved nine goals and totaled 18 points across seven games. In the postseason, he contributed five goals and 13 points over six playoff matches.

Personal life

Boschman lives in Stittsville, Ontario, with his three sons: Brent, Mark, and Jeff. His wife, Nancy, passed away in early 2006. Following his retirement from professional hockey, he took on the role of director for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario at Hockey Ministries International, an organization that merges ice hockey with Christian ministry efforts.

Awards

• Selected for the WHL First All-Star Team in 1979
• Included in the Memorial Cup All-Star Team of 1979
• Recipient of the Molson Cup as the leading Three-Stars player for the Winnipeg Jets during the 1983–84 season

Career statistics

... [Statistics continue as original] ...

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1975–76	Brandon Travellers	MJHL		2	1	3	4	2		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Brandon Travellers	MJHL		47	17	40	57	139		—	—	—	—	—
1976–77	Brandon Wheat Kings	WCJHL		3	0	1	1	0		12	1	1	2	17
1977–78	Brandon Wheat Kings	WCJHL		72	42	57	99	227		6	2	5	7	45
1978–79	Brandon Wheat Kings	WHL		65	66	83	149	215		22	11	23	34	56
1979–80	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		80	16	32	48	78		3	1	1	2	18
NHL totals				1,009	229	348	577	2,265		57	8	13	21	140

See also

• List of NHL players with 1,000 games played
• List of NHL players with 2,000 career penalty minutes