Fourth All-Star Showcase fantastic experience for Amanda Boulier

One of three blueliners from the Boston Pride named to the 2022 PHF All-Star Showcase, joining the likes of Kali Flanagan and Kaleigh Fratkin, Amanda Boulier brought a tremendous wealth of experience. Having first appeared on PHF ice during the 2017-18 season, garbed in the paraphernalia of the Connecticut Whale, Boulier blossomed into one of the league’s elite blueliners.

With the 2021-22 season representing Boulier’s first in Boston, after a handful of seasons spent with the Minnesota Whitecaps, her inaugural season in the Pride jersey involved the prestige of All-Star status. One of the league’s all-time leading scorers among blueliners, appearing in the 2022 midseason classic signified the fourth All-Star experience of her career.

During her rookie season, Boulier appeared in the 2018 All-Star Showcase. Held in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Boulier skated for Brittany Ott’s team, as both team captains were goaltenders. Contributing a goal and an assist, Boulier was a key contributor in the 8-6 win for Team Ott over Team Leveille.

The following year, Boulier gained another significant All-Star highlight. Hosted at Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators, the chance to skate on NHL ice provided Boulier a brush with history. With over 6000 fans on-hand to watch the first professional women’s ice hockey game in Music City, it marked a league attendance record.

Reflecting on the most recent All-Star Showcase, held at Buffalo’s Northtown Center at Amherst, Boulier’s favorite facet involved the three-team scenario. A unique first in PHF All-Star lore, All-Star rosters of 12 skaters each participated in a pair of games. Providing an element of enjoyment for the acclaimed blueliner, numerous aspects of the event were appreciated by Boulier,

“Such an honor to be selected to my 4th PHF All star game. The PHF clearly put a ton of time, effort, and resources into this event, and it that was felt from the moment I arrived in Buffalo. I loved the format and being able to play in all three of those scenarios with the best players in the league.”

Among the highlights of Boulier’s fourth All-Star Showcase experience involved the aspect of reunion. Having starred in the ECAC with St. Lawrence University from 2011-15, serving as team captain in her senior season, she was one of two alumnae from the Skating Saints to participate in this year’s midseason classic. 

Skating for the Connecticut Whale, first-year PHF player Kennedy Marchment was an ECAC All-Star during her time with St. Lawrence. Making her PHF debut on November 6, 2021 versus the Metropolitan Riveters, Marchment previously skated for Linkoping HC and HV71 in Sweden’s SDHL.

Although Boulier and Marchment were not All-Star teammates in Buffalo, as Marchment skated for Team Dempsey, named after PHF all-time leading scorer Jillian Dempsey, another element of reunion presented itself. Garbed in the jersey of Team Thunstrom, named after Minnesota Whitecaps franchise player Allie Thunstrom, it rekindled memories of a previous chapter in Boulier’s professional sojourn.  

Worth noting, Boulier’s most prolific PHF seasons involved skating with the Whitecaps, hoisting the Isobel Cup in 2019, it was part a season where she was recognized as one of the Fans Three Stars of the Season. In addition, the 2019-20 season, also worn in Whitecaps colors, involved a career best 27 points, highlighted by 21 assists.

Certainly, the opportunity to call Thunstrom a teammate once again provided a cherished highlight. Just as cherished was a goal scored during the shootout round of Team Thunstrom’s loss to Team Dempsey. Unleashing a powerful slap shot, Boulier scored on Elaine Chuli, also recognized as the PHF Player of the Month for December 2021. Marking the only goal allowed by Chuli in the contest, Boulier’s goal served of the event’s highlights,

“I really enjoyed being able to wear the same jersey as Allie again. Having to defend her gets old—really quickly. She’s such a fun player to play with, especially in 3 on 3 where there is so much ice. 

Her speed is really something. Breaking the puck out as a D with Thunstrom on your side is an unfair advantage—was fun to throw the puck anywhere on the ice and have her find it.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”