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Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 6, 2024 ~ The Old Sachem ~ Native American hockey star L Henry Boucha: By Bill Stewart ast Saturday, I watched a documentary on Rhode Island PBS about Henry Boucha, who was born June 1, 1951, in Warroad, Minnesota. Henry started his hockey career at Warroad High School. In the U.S. Army, he was on the U.S. National team. He played for the U.S. World Championship in Bern, Switzerland, in 1971 and for the U.S. Olympic Team in 1972. He played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars, Kansas City If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available Scouts and Colorado Rockies. He also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) for the Minnesota Fighting Saints. Henry was a full-blooded Ojibwe Indian. He never wore a helmet in his hockey games from high school to professional, but was known by his red headband with a nickname as “the chief.” Boucha played high school hockey for Warroad, Minnesota, and led his team to the state fi nal against Edina, where he was injured in the game. The Minnesota state hockey commission considers Henry one of the best high school players in the state. He played 25 games, scored 60 goals and had 35 assists in high school. He next played for the Winnipeg Jets in ’69 and ’70, playing 51 games and scoring 27 goals, with 26 assists. During the playoffs, he played 14 games and scored 6 goals, with 3 assists. He was in the U.S. Army in 1970 and played for the national team. Henry scored 7 goals in 10 games. In 1972 he played for the U.S. Olympic Team and received a Silver Medal, as the team lost in the fi nal. Boucha was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1971, 16th in the second round, and scored a goal in his fi rst game. He was voted as the Red Wings Rookie of the year. He was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in 1974. On January 4, 1975, he was assaulted in a highly publicized stick hit from Dave Forbes of the Boston Bruins. He received a cracked bone near his eye and blurred vision. Forbes was prosecuted for aggravated assault and the trial resulted in a hung verdict. He didn’t recover from the Injury. But he started a comeback with the Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA in 1975 and was removed from SERINO| FROM PAGE 6 “Saugus has always had this rich pride in its athletics and school community,” he said. “Seeing alumni come back as coaches, sharing their experiences, and building on the legacy they were part of—it’s what makes this job so rewarding.” As winter sports get underway with tryouts this “The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) the team. As a free agent, he signed with the Kansas Scouts late in 1975, and the team became the Colorado Rockies. Henry had a difficult time as his injury to the eye made playing almost impossible. His agent had talks with the North Stars, but it didn’t work out. He became divorced and went into drug and alcohol abuse. He fi nally straightened out in the 80s. He became active in community aff airs, including those of tribal conditions. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995. His goal total in the NHL was 53, with 49 assists in 247 games. In the WHA he had 15 goals and 20 assists in 38 games. In his time with the United States teams, he had 13 goals and 6 assists in 23 games. Henry Boucha died on September 18, 2023, at the age of 72. He will ever be a hero to hockey, Warroad and Minnesota. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column – sometimes about sports. He also opines on current or historical events or famous people.) week, Serino expressed excitement for the new season and a sense of gratitude for the support from the Saugus community. “There’s nothing better than seeing kids grow up playing together, achieving success with their friends, and creating memor ies they’ll carry with them for life,” he said. “That’s what Saugus athletics is all about.”

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