Paul Boutilier has no problem outlining why coaches need to get back to basics when teaching defencemen. The 60-year-old from Nova Scotia was drafted 21st overall by the New York Islanders in 1981 and went on to play 288 games between the Islanders, Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets.
Boutilier, a two-time Stanley Cup Champion who also captured the Memorial Cup, has been there, done that. Now he’s trying to help coaches help their blueliners thrive.
In his 60-minute 2023 IIHF Coaching Symposium presentation, Boutilier narrows in on the importance of teaching players to focus on posture and vision as the keys to playing active, aggressive defence.
Boutilier, a Defence Specialist with 44 Seconds Group, has a mantra: “Slower Coaching for Faster Results.” What he means by that is it’s about building defensive fundamentals over time, one at a time,
Defence wins championships and this presentation is proof of that. Learn about the evolution of the defensive game from the 80s to today, deliberate teaching stages and how to teach players to evaluate their own game.
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- 2023 IIHF Coaching Symposium: How a Structured Championship System Help Player Development, with Angelica Lindeberg (VIDEO)
- 2023 IIHF Coaching Symposium: Shaping Skilled Intentions, with James Vaughan (VIDEO)
- 2023 IIHF Coaching Symposium: Weekly Preparation Tips, with Cara Morey (VIDEO)
Paul Boutilier
Paul Boutilier has worn a lot of hats during his career, but currently works as a Defenceman Specialist, consulting with approximately 40 defencemen, several of whom are current NHL superstars through his company, the 44 Second Group. Boutilier’s current stable of clients include Thomas Chabot of the Ottawa Senators, Noah Dobson of the New York Islanders, and David Reinbacher and Dennis Savard of the Montreal Canadians
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