Paul Boutilier won a Stanley Cup with the New York Islanders as a defenceman and created the Defense Development Program based on his playing and coaching experience. He has implemented the plan as a consultant with the Nashville Predators and it has also had an impact on a young D-corps in Saint John’s. In his presentation, Boutilier breaks down the position down in all three zones and offers new theories of how defence can be taught. Gain a unique perspective on how you can make a big difference in the development of your defencemen.
Boutilier goes beyond positioning and puck movement, exploring how defensemen can maximize their energy and awareness during the “downtime” within a shift. By focusing on small details—angles, scanning, posture, and mental resets—he offers a fresh look at what it means to truly play without the puck.
Whether you’re coaching young players just learning the position or seasoned junior defensemen aiming for the next level, this presentation delivers ideas you can bring directly to your next practice. It’s another great example of how borrowing insight from experienced coaches can help you better serve your players and support their growth on and off the ice.
Noteworthy Timestamps:
- 3:00 D development background
- 7:50 Today’s D requirements
- 10:30 “Our D suck”/limiting mistakes
- 12:45 Where to start? What to teach D
- 14:45 Posture
- 19:35 “Shift downtime”/pregame research
- 26:30 Count 1-2-3-4-5
- 32:35 First pass efficiency
- 39:25 4th forward - when?
- 41:00 Never trust a Dman
- 45:55 Best ice principle
- 49:05 Sea Dogs defence development program
- 57:05 Managing player influencers
