Tyler Boucher is entering rookie camp healthy following two years of dealing with multiple injuries.
"It was a big summer for me," the 21-year-old forward said Thursday ahead of the 2024 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, New York. "I changed some things [in] my training, just to tailor around the injuries and stuff like that.
"I was doing a lot of pilates, actually. [Player health and performance director] Matt Nichol helped me out with that. He said I should do that, and I saw some big changes in my flexibility and stuff like that."
Boucher, the No. 10 pick by the Senators in the 2021 NHL Draft, played 21 games for Ottawa's American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville last season due to a nagging groin injury. The prior year, he was limited to 21 games for Ottawa of the Ontario Hockey League due to shoulder problems.
Belleville coach David Bell said Boucher is "100 percent" healthy and will play all games against the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets this weekend.
"Obviously, we would all like him to have more games played," Bell said. "You can't teach experience. But where he is, in his head space, he's in a good spot, he's in great shape. He's going to get the opportunity right away here in rookie camp to play these games. ... We're not going to push him, but he's not going to get days off to rest. He's full-go, ready to go, and now it's up to him what he does."
Boucher admitted the past couple seasons has taken a mental toll on him, but believes he's gained confidence and is "not looking back."
"This weekend's nice because I get a little warm-up before main camp, and that's what's really important to me," Boucher said. "Just get my feet wet, shake off the rust and hit the ground running."
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