Barry Boughner, originally from Delhi, Ontario, was a standout dual-sport athlete. Boughner’s hockey career included six years of professional hockey in the IHL, CHL, AHL, and NHL. During that time, he suited up for the California Golden Seals, Des Moines Oak Leafs, Providence Reds, New Haven Nighthawks, and Albuquerque Six-Guns.
Boughner played junior hockey with the London Nationals, helping them to a Junior B championship in 1964-65. He also played for the Junior A London Nationals in 1965-66, 1966-67, and 1967-68. Boughner was named to the OHA Junior A West All-Star team in 1967-68, along with teammate Darryl Sittler. Boughner also coached the Woodstock Royals Senior A team, the London Diamonds and Strathroy Blades Junior B teams, the Delhi De Cloet Leafs Intermediate A team, and the OHL’s Niagara Falls Flyers.
Boughner’s talents weren’t confined to the rink. He also excelled at baseball, and was invited to a spring training camp by the St. Louis Cardinals. Boughner earned multiple championship titles with London’s Junior A and Senior A Intercounty Baseball League teams. Boughner’s Junior A team won the IBL championship in 1968 and 1969, and earned the OBA title in 1968, finishing as OBA finalists in 1969.
Boughner also played on four Senior A IBL pennant-winning teams, and was a member of IBL Senior A championship teams in 1969 and 1975, reaching the finals in 1966 as well. During his Junior and Senior IBL career, Boughner played all nine positions, including catcher and pitcher. Boughner’s versatility is shown by the fact that he made the IBL first all-star team in 1974 as a second baseman, in 1975 as a third baseman, and in 1980 as a designated hitter. He ended his 17-year playing career in the Senior ‘A’ IBL with a .290 lifetime average. Boughner also served as a coach and organizer in the IBL.
Boughner and his 1975 London Majors teammates, who won the Senior ‘A’ IBL Championship, were inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Boughner’s baseball prowess was recognized by the IBL, who named him to their Gold Bat Club in 2018 as one of the top 100 IBL players from 1919 to 2018.
Boughner has given back to the community, raising approximately $250,000 that went directly to the Veterans Care Programs at Parkwood Hospital in London, Ontario. He also served as the Chairperson of the London Majors Alumni Association.
Boughner has been described as “an exceptional coach whose passion, dedication, and commitment to player development have left a mark.” As a player, he was said to be “a natural team leader,” and a person who “gave his all every game.” Reflecting on his long-time sports involvement, Boughner notes, “I preferred playing baseball over hockey and I preferred coaching hockey over playing hockey.”