Minnesota Wild's Pierre-Marc Bouchard and His Hockey Career

Pierre-Marc Bouchard is a hockey player who had an impressive career in junior hockey and will no doubt have the same with his professional career. Pierre-Marc Bouchard was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec in Canada on April 27, 1984, making him twenty-five years old. This right wing is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 171 pounds, which is on the smaller size compared to most professional hockey players. As with many Quebecois hockey players, Pierre-Marc Bouchard's career started in the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. The QMJHL is one of the three leagues that makes up the CHL (Canadian Hockey League) which is the most competitive junior hockey league in Canada.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard's started playing with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the 2000-2001 season. Bouchard also spent the 2001-2002 season with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Although he only spent two seasons in the QMJHL, Pierre-Marc Bouchard made an impression. In 2001, Pierre-Marc Bouchard was named to the QMJHL's First All-Star Team. Also in 2001, he was named the QMJHL's Rookie of the Year. His first year was a big one, as Pierre-Marc Bouchard also won the Michel Bergeron Trophy in 2001. The Michel Bergeron Trophy is awarded each year to the rookie in the QMJHL who has shown the best offensive skill.

During Bouchard's second year in the QMJHL, he won even more awards. In 2002, he was awarded the Jean Beliveau Trophy, which is given to the QMJHL player who scores the most goals during the regular season. Pierre-Marc Bouchard was also awarded the Telus Cup-Offensive in 2002, which is an award given to the QMJHL's best offensive player. He won two more trophies in the 2001-2002 season, the Michael Bossy Trophy and the Michel Brier Trophy. The Michael Bossy Trophy is awarded to the QMJHL who is judged to be the best professional prospect. The Michel Brier Trophy is awarded to the most valuable player in the QMJHL. Also in 2002, Pierre-Marc Bouchard was selected to play with the CHL's First-All Star Team. He was also the CHL's leading scorer and voted the CHL's Player of the Year.

In 2002, Pierre-Marc Bouchard entered the NHL draft and was the Minnesota Wild's first round pick, 8th overall. Upon being drafted, Bouchard went straight to the NHL for the 2002-2003 season, which is very impressive as a great deal of players who are drafted spent a year or two lower leagues such as the AHL or one of the CHL leagues to prepare. Bouchard was selected to play in the 2004 NHL YoungStars Game. Because of the 2004-2005 NHL Lockout, Pierre-Marc Bouchard did end up playing in the NHL, but only because there was no NHL during that time. For the 2004-2005 season, he played with the Houston Aeros. As soon as the Lockout was over, Bouchard was back in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild, where he has been playing ever since. Pierre-Marc also has a younger brother following in his footsteps, Francois Bouchard was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2006.

ref-www.nhl.com