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Drake Batherson Celebrates Former Junior Teammate’s Unlikely NHL Debut At Age 29

Dillon Boucher took the long road to the NHL, from the QMJHL, back to junior A, to U Sports, the ECHL and the AHL. On Wednesday night, the Nova Scotia native finally got his chance, and an old friend from…

By Steve Warne · The Hockey News

Published: Thursday, 5 November 2026 at 4:58 PM

Key Things to Know

Drake Batherson congratulated former junior teammate Dillon Boucher on making his NHL debut at age 29.
Boucher made his debut for the Chicago Blackhawks against the Florida Panthers following a recall from Rockford.
The two forwards previously played together in the QMJHL for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson took to social media to celebrate former junior teammate Dillon Boucher's NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 29-year-old Boucher reached the NHL on Wednesday night against the Florida Panthers after being recalled from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.

Batherson and Boucher previously played together in the QMJHL with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. Boucher took an unconventional journey to the NHL, including stints in Junior A, Dalhousie University, the ECHL's Wichita Thunder, and Rockford before earning his debut.

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Drake Batherson Celebrates Former Junior Teammate’s Unlikely NHL Debut At Age 29

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