NDN All-Star #20 Henry Boucha: The Electric Indian
For kids growing up in Minnesota, hockey was everywhere. Cold winters, frozen ponds, and local rinks were part of daily life. But for Native kids, it was rare to see someone who looked like them playing at the highest levels. That’s why NDN All-Star #20 Henry Boucha (Ojibwe) meant so much. He wasn’t just a great player—he was NATIVE!
Henry Boucha was Ojibwe, from Warroad, Minnesota—a small town with a huge hockey tradition. Warroad has produced NHL players before, but Henry stood out from the start. He was a star at Warroad High School, leading his team to the 1969 state championship game. People still talk about how dominant he was that year. Fast, skilled, and fearless—he played both defense and forward, and his intensity lit up the rink. That’s how he earned the nickname “The Electric Indian.”
After high school, Henry joined the U.S. National Team and played in the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. He helped Team USA bring home the silver medal. That alone would have made for a proud career—but Henry was just getting started.
Later that year, he joined the NHL after being drafted 16th overall by the Detroit Red Wings. He made an instant impact. I remember watching clips of his early games—his skating, his puck control, and his signature red headband made him stand out. He scored a goal in his very first game and was named Detroit’s Rookie of the Year.
Henry later played for the Minnesota North Stars and Kansas City Scouts, but his best NHL days were probably with the Red Wings. He had speed, strength, and a style of play that was exciting to watch. And for Native fans, seeing that headband flying down the ice made everyone proud.
But like too many stories, his playing career was cut short. In 1975, during a game with the North Stars, Boucha took a high stick to the eye. The injury was serious, and even though he tried to return, his vision never fully recovered. He was only 24. The game lost a star, and we lost someone who was just hitting his stride.
Still, Henry didn’t fade away. After retiring, he went through some hard times, but eventually found strength by reconnecting with his Ojibwe heritage. He became an advocate for Native youth and worked to bring attention to Native issues. He spoke out, gave back, and kept showing up for his community.
In 1995, he was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. For me, that felt like long-overdue recognition. He’d already earned the respect of fans, players, and coaches. But that honor made it official—Henry Boucha was one of the greats.
Henry passed away in 2023 at the age of 72. Even though his NHL career was short, his impact was long-lasting. He opened doors and created a path for Native players who came after him. Names like NDN All-Star #57 Jordin Tootoo (Inuit), NDN All-Star #36 T.J. Oshie (Ojibwe), and NDN All-Star #19 Ethan Bear (Cree/Ochowapace) all followed in footsteps that Henry helped carve out.
What makes Henry Boucha unforgettable isn’t just his stats or even his nickname—it’s how he carried himself. He played hard, stood tall, and never hid who he was. For Native kids who loved hockey, he was proof that Native players belonged out there!
So yeah, I’ll always remember NDN All-Star #20 Henry Boucha—the Electric Indian—not just for what he did on the ice, but for what he meant to the game, and to us.
Bill Black is the creator and “General Manager of NDN All-Stars, celebrating great Native American athletes past and present. He is a first generation descendant of the Okanogan Band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and resides in Omak, WA.
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