Henry Boucha obit

Warroad state hockey tournament legend Henry Boucha dies at 72

The lifelong advocate for Native American education won an Olympic silver medal and played 247 games in the NHL in a career cut short by injury.

He was not on the list.

WARROAD, Minn. — When Warroad’s boys hockey team hosts arch-rival Roseau for the main event of Hockey Day Minnesota 2024 in January, the home team will wear special sweaters bearing the likeness of one of Minnesota hockey’s most legendary players. Henry Boucha almost singlehandedly willed the Warriors to the 1969 state title, then went on to play in the Olympics, in the NHL and in the WHA.

Before the game, there will likely be a moment of silence in his memory, as well. Boucha, who was 72, died on Monday. Family members did not immediately release any details but confirmed his passing, and asked for privacy at this time.

An Indigenous man and a lifelong advocate for Native American education programs in Minnesota, Boucha was the driving force behind a Warroad team that advanced to the ‘69 state tournament, then held at Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, where the Warriors dispatched South St. Paul and Roseau to reach the state title game.

In the second period of a tightly played championship match versus Edina, Boucha was checked hard into the end boards and suffered a ruptured eardrum, which ended his prep hockey career. With Boucha in the hospital, the Warriors rallied to tie the game before.

Edina won in overtime.

Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1971, Boucha won a silver medal at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Japan.

“Henry was one of the favorites on the team among all the guys,” said Murray Williamson, who coached Team USA. “He was dynamic and quick and just a wonderful teammate.”

Boucha then played in 247 NHL games with the Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars, Kansas City Scouts and Colorado Rockies, as well as playing for the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the WHA. His hockey career was shortened after he was speared in the head by Dave Forbes of the Boston Bruins during a 1975 game at Met Center, leaving him legally blind in one eye.

Boucha had a number of business ventures post-hockey, including owning a bar/restaurant in his hometown and selling real estate. He also worked to promote Native American education programs in the Warroad schools, and as recently as the spring of 2023 testified before a legislative committee at the Minnesota State Capitol. There, Boucha spoke against legislation that eventually passed into law and could force schools like Warroad to drop their nickname and logo, which has been designed and blessed by their local tribal government.

Boucha was a common sight in St. Paul at state tournament time, and enjoyed signing autographs and recounting the legendary 1969 games from his standpoint. Always soft-spoken and friendly, he would make time for all who wanted to shake his hand or take a photo.

Inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995, his No. 16 jersey has been retired by Warroad High School, although Boucha gave his grandsons permission to wear No. 16 in recent years.

A full-blooded Chippewa Ojibwa, Boucha's distant cousin Gary Sargent and his second cousin T. J. Oshie have also played in the NHL.

Played for            Detroit Red Wings

Minnesota North Stars

Minnesota Fighting Saints

Kansas City Scouts

Colorado Rockies