Danick Bouchard departs the Central Coast Rhinos mid-season after a successful stint with the AIHL team from Erina.

In a surprising announcement the Central Coast Rhinos confirmed last weekend’s big win over the Sydney Bears would be Danick Bouchard’s last for the team in 2024.

The Canadian veteran winger will return to France to link up with his new Ligue Magnus team Jokers de Cergy-Pontoise.

Bouchard is a mainstay in Ligue Magnus, the top division in France. He’s spent the past 13 years in the league playing for teams including Villard-de-Lans Bears, Epinal HC Wildcats, Gothiques d’Amiens, Brûleurs de Loups of Grenoble and Ducs d’Angers.

Unusual timing

It is unusual timing for Bouchard to leave the team. The Rhinos had just won an important game against league leaders Sydney Bears, for which Danick scored two goals and the lone goal in the shootout.

Central Coast are applying huge pressure on the Adelaide Adrenaline and Brisbane Lightning for a Finals berth from the Rurak Conference.

This is the third offensive player to leave the Rhinos in the last few weeks. With this move following the departures of fellow import Andrew Smardon as well as Hayden Dawes.

Impact on the team

After joining the team later than some of the other imports for the Rhinos this season. Bouchard became an integral part of the Rhinos forward line, especially in the last month.

Danick has a knack of scoring important goals. That was emphasised with his performance in his final game.

It took Bouchard a little time to adjust to Rhinos hockey in the AIHL, but once he clicked he quickly rose up the points leader-board for Central Coast. He scored 10 points in his final four games with the team.

At the time of his departure, he is sitting third in the Rhinos scoring charts with 19 points. Only Mackenzie Bolger, 25 points, and Bert Malloy, 20 points, are ahead of him.

This uptick in production has been key to the Rhinos recent run of success, which has seen them win three of their last four games. Firmly putting them in Finals contention.

It will be interesting to see what impact losing Bouchard will have on the remaining Rhinos results, given his importance in the team’s firepower department.

Danick Bouchard’s AIHL record

Year(s)	Team	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM
2024	Central Coast Rhinos	15	12	7	19	20
2024	TOTAL	15	12	7	19	20

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