Toronto Maple Leafs The
Toronto Maple Leafs of the
National Hockey League (NHL) entered the
1979 NHL entry draft with only one pick in the first two rounds of the draft. The
general manager,
Punch Imlach, had narrowed his choice down to two of the Wheat Kings' top line; Boschman and Propp. Imlach ultimately chose Boschman with the ninth overall selection in the first round. Boschman made the Maple Leafs as a 19-year-old, and debuted on October 10, 1979, registering his first point; an assist on
Ron Ellis' third period goal in a 6–3 loss to the
New York Rangers. He scored his first NHL goal on November 7 against
goaltender Ed Staniowski in a 7–4 victory over the
St. Louis Blues. He registered his first multi-goal game on November 10, scoring two in an 8–4 victory over the
Winnipeg Jets. Boschman appeared in all 80 games with the team during the
1979–80 season, scoring 16 goals and 48 points. In three playoff games, Boschman had just the goal and two points, However, Boschman's
agent,
Bill Watters, told the Maple Leafs that Boschman would not be sent to the AHL and that they could play him in Toronto or trade him. In January, Boschman, suffering from a stomach
ulcer, was assigned to the
Cincinnati Tigers of the
Central Hockey League, but never played a game for them. Ballard again criticized Boschman for his injuries claiming that
Alan Eagleson was scheming with the player.
Edmonton Oilers Later that season, Imlach was fired and McNamara became the new Maple Leafs general manager. As part of McNamara's effort to rebuild the team, Boschman was traded to the
Edmonton Oilers for winger
Walt Poddubny and prospect Phil Drouillard on March 8, 1982. Boschman made his Oilers debut on March 10 in a 3–2 loss to the
Los Angeles Kings. He scored his first goal as an Oiler on March 13 against
Rick Heinz in a 5–3 victory over the
Vancouver Canucks. He finished the 1981–82 season with the Oilers appearing in 11 games, scoring two goals and five points, On March 7, 1983, Edmonton traded Boschman to the Winnipeg Jets for forward
Willy Lindström.
Winnipeg Jets Boschman appeared in 12 games with the Winnipeg Jets in the 1982–83 season, scoring three goals and eight points. He registered his first point with Winnipeg on March 13, assisting on a goal by
Scott Arniel in a 4–3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Boschman got his first goal with the Jets against
Rick St. Croix in the following game on March 18, a 7–3 victory over the Maple Leafs. Winnipeg qualified for the
1983 Stanley Cup playoffs. In three post-season games, Boschman earned an assist in three games, Boschman had a breakout season with the Jets in the
1983–84 season, as he scored 28 goals and 74 points in 61 games, as well as earning 234 penalty minutes. His second four-point game came on December 5 where he scored two goals and marked two assists in a 7–5 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. He suffered a
dislocated shoulder against the
New Jersey Devils on December 7 returning on January 17, 1984, versus the
Washington Capitals. He spent the rest of the season in a shoulder harness. After his return, Boschman registered two four-point games in the span of three games, the first in a 5–4 overtime win against the
Pittsburgh Penguins on January 18, with Boschman assisting on all but one of the goals and the second in a 6–4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on January 20, scoring two goals and two assists. The Jets made the
1984 Stanley Cup playoffs but were swept by the Edmonton Oilers for the second consecutive season. In the post-season, Boschman was held to an assist in three games. He had two other four-point games during the season, the first against Washington on February 13, 1985, in a 5–3 victory with a goal and three assists. The line of Boschman,
Doug Smail and
Jim Nill recorded ten points combined in the game. The second came against New Jersey on March 12 with a goal and three assists in a 6–3 victory. Winnipeg made the
1985 Stanley Cup playoffs, as the Jets defeated the Calgary Flames before being swept by the Edmonton Oilers for the third straight season, this time in the Smythe Division final. In the post-season, Boschman had two goals and three points in eight games. The Jets qualified for the
1986 Stanley Cup playoffs, but were swept by the Calgary Flames in the first round. In three playoff games, Boschman was held to one assist. The Jets made the
1988 Stanley Cup playoffs only to lose to the Edmonton Oilers again in the first round. In five playoff games, Boschman had a goal and four points. He returned to the lineup on November 18 after missing ten games. The team failed to qualify for the
1989 Stanley Cup playoffs. Boschman had his worst season in six seasons due to injuries and lowered production. Rumours of the Jets trading Boschman began during the 1989 offseason. His offensive game continued to struggle in the
1989–90 season, as in 66 games, Boschman earned 10 goals and 27 points. On February 16, 1990, Boschman was suspended for eight games after high-sticking Los Angeles Kings forward
Tomas Sandström. Boschman saw his ice time cut as the season wore on and was scratched from the lineup for most of the first round of the
1990 Stanley Cup playoffs. In two playoff games, Boschman was held pointless, as the Jets lost again to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. On September 6, 1990, the Jets traded Boschman to the New Jersey Devils for
Bob Brooke.
New Jersey Devils The acquisition of Boschman was the second trade in as many days by Devils general manager
Lou Lamoriello to toughen up the team, previously acquiring
Claude Lemieux from the Montreal Canadiens. Boschman made his first appearance with the Devils on opening night, October 4, 1990, in a 3–3 tie with the
Detroit Red Wings. He scored his first goal (and his second) in a Devils uniform on October 13 against Mike Vernon in a 5–3 victory over the Calgary Flames. He played on a line with
Troy Crowder and
Al Stewart. Boschman appeared in 78 games in his first year with the Devils in the
1990–91 season, scoring 11 goals and 20 points and recording 79 penalty minutes; his lowest penalty minute total since his rookie season. In 75 games with the Devils in the
1991–92 season, Boschman scored eight goals and 28 points and 121 penalty minutes. The Devils made the
1992 Stanley Cup playoffs with their best ever record to date and faced the first-place New York Rangers in the first round. The series went to seven games, and ultimately the Devils lost to the Rangers. In seven playoff games, Boschman had one goal. He scored his first goal for Ottawa on October 27 against
Tom Barrasso in a 7–2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. On April 10, 1993, after going 39 games without a victory away from home, Boschman scored the third and final hat trick of his career against
Glenn Healy in a 5–3 win to secure the first Ottawa Senators road victory. In 70 games with Ottawa, Boschman had nine goals and 16 points. In the offseason he was left exposed in the
1993 NHL expansion draft by Ottawa, but was not selected. After only one season with the Senators, the club bought out Boschman's contract.
Fife Flyers Boschman briefly played with the
Fife Flyers of the
British Hockey League in the
1994–95 season, scoring nine goals and 18 points in seven games with the team. In six playoff games, Boschman had five goals and 13 points. ==Personal life==