Francis Bouillon

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Lore & Background

Francis Bouillon made his professional debut in the 1996–97 season in the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers and played the following season in the IHL with the Quebec Rafales before he was signed as a free agent to an NHL contract by the Montreal Canadiens in 1998. He played the next 11 seasons, the majority of his career (except for a short stint with the Predators in 2002–03) within the Canadiens organization. At 5'8" and 194 lbs, Bouillon is considered small for an NHL defenseman but is never one to shy away from physical play. According to Pierre Houde, he is one of the strongest players in the NHL as shown by official physical tests. On September 30, 2009, just prior to the 2009–10 season, Bouillon was signed to a one-year contract as a late inclusion to the Nashville Predators after joining the team on a tryout for training camp. In returning to the Predators after an initial four-game stint in 2002, Bouillon established himself within the Predators defense as a stay-at-home defenseman to appear in 81 games, missing only a single game, for 3 goals and 11 points. On June 18, 2010, he signed a two-year extension to remain with the Predators. On July 1, 2012, Bouillon signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Montreal Canadiens. His play during that season earned him a one-year extension with the team. Following the 2013–14 season, the Canadiens declined to offer Bouillon a contract and on July 1, 2014, he became an unrestricted free agent. Bouillon attended the Canadiens' training camp for the 2014–15 season on a tryout, but was released by the team on October 6, 2014. On October 14, 2014, he signed with HC Ambrì-Piotta in the Swiss National League A. He announced his retirement on September 25, 2015.

In Their Own Story

The puck was a blur, rifled from the point by a 6'4" forward with a cannon of a slapshot. Francis Bouillon saw it coming, but he didn't flinch. He dropped to one knee, his body a shield, and the vulcanized rubber thudded into his shin pad with a sound like a hammer on wood. He winced, but he was already back on his skates, chasing the loose puck into the corner. The Bridgestone Arena crowd roared—not for a goal, but for a block. That was Bouillon's game: a thousand small sacrifices that never made the highlight reel but won the battles that won games. As he skated to the bench, a teammate tapped his helmet. 'Atta boy, Frankie.' He nodded, ice in his veins, and waited for the next slapshot to find him.

Reader's Guide

In the 2009–10 season, he appeared in 81 games, missing only a single game, for 3 goals and 11 points. On June 18, 2010, he signed a two-year extension to remain with the Predators. His playing style was defined as a stay-at-home defenseman who was never one to shy away from physical play. At 5'8" and 194 lbs, he was considered small for an NHL defenseman, but according to Pierre Houde, he was one of the strongest players in the NHL as shown by official physical tests. Bouillon's greatest achievements include being Granby's captain when they won the 1996 Memorial Cup. His legacy is that of an undersized overachiever who embodied hard work and physical play. Bouillon remains a cult hero among fans who remember his fearless shot-blocking and willingness to engage much larger forwards.

Did You Know?

• Francis Bouillon was born in New York City to a Haitian father and a French Canadian mother.
• He was captain of the Granby Predateurs when they won the 1996 Memorial Cup.
• Bouillon made his professional debut in the 1996–97 season in the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers.
• He signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Montreal Canadiens on July 1, 2012.
• Bouillon announced his retirement on September 25, 2015.