A former NHLer is joining the hockey operations team at the Moncton Wildcats.

Paul Boutilier has been named a defensive consultant, the team announced Wednesday.

“His experience and work in player development is revered across the hockey world, but more importantly he is a person whose values and ideologies around player development are aligned with ours,” Taylor MacDougall, the team’s general manager, said in a news release.

Boutilier has developed a comprehensive program for players or defence groups to improve their level of play.

He is no stranger to New Brunswick, having worked with the Saint John Sea Dogs when they won the Memorial Cup in 2022.

In addition, he was an assistant coach for the Sea Dogs when they won the QMJHL championship in 2018.

“I’m honored to receive a call from the Moncton Wildcats and pleased to work alongside Gardiner and Taylor MacDougall,” Boutilier said in the release.

“Their strong belief in quality player education and teaching in a positive way aligns perfectly with the values of my defence development program.”

Boutilier was drafted to the NHL by the New York Islanders in 1981. He went on to play 329 games with the Islanders, Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, and Winnipeg Jets.

He also played 208 games in the late 1980s with the Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Moncton Hawks.