A former NHL player from Sydney, Nova Scotia has passed away.

In a statement on social media, the NHL Alumni Association says they were deeply saddened to hear the news about Paul Boutilier.

Boutilier played major junior hockey with the QMJHL’s Sherbrook Castor’s beginning in 1980 and was selected by the New York Islanders in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft in 1981.

The association says he then split his time between the two leagues for the next couple of years and claimed the Stanley Cup with the Islanders.

Between 1981 and 1986 Boutilier played with the Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets.

He served as assistant and head coach for Saint Mary’s University in Halifax between 1991 and 1997.

“Internationally, Paul proudly represented Canada on multiple occasions and at both the junior and senior levels, highlighted by a gold medal at the 1982 World Junior Hockey Championships,” says the asssociation.

The NHL Alumni Association sends their deepest condolences.

He was 63.