Robert Darren Boughner (/ˈbuːɡnər/ BOOG-nər;[1] born March 8, 1971), nicknamed "The Boogieman", is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player.
In his first year with the Greyhounds in 1988–89, Boughner appeared in 64 games, scoring six goals and 21 points, while earning 182 penalty minutes, however, the club failed to qualify for the postseason.
In 1990–91, Boughner once again improved offensively, scoring 13 goals and 46 points in 64 games, while registering 156 penalty minutes, the second highest on the Greyhounds, helping Sault Ste.
In the postseason, Boughner appeared in all 14 games, scoring two goals and 11 points, as the Greyhounds won the OHL championship, defeating the Oshawa Generals in the final round, and earn a berth in the 1991 Memorial Cup.
Boughner spent the entire 1992–93 with Adirondack, appearing in 69 games, scoring a goal and 17 points, as well as 190 penalty minutes, which was the fourth highest total on the team.
In 81 games with Cincinnati, Boughner had two goals and 16 points, and had 192 penalty minutes, second highest total on the team, helping the Cyclones reach the postseason.
After acquiring Boughner from the Florida Panthers on February 1, 1996, the Sabres decided to promote him to the NHL for the remainder of the 1995–96 season.
On February 3, Boughner made his NHL debut, getting no points and 12 penalty minutes, in a 4–2 loss to the Boston Bruins.
Boughner remained with the Sabres for the rest of the season, earning just the one assist in 31 games, as well as 104 penalty minutes, however, Buffalo failed to make the playoffs.
In 1997–98, Boughner had a goal and four points in 69 games, and had the third highest penalty minute total on the team with 165, as Buffalo reached the playoffs for the second straight season.
On June 26, 1998, the Sabres left Boughner unprotected for the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft, and the Nashville Predators selected him.
Boughner scored his first goal with Nashville on December 26, beating Olaf Kolzig of the Washington Capitals, in a 3–1 Predators victory.
On July 2, 2001, Boughner signed with the Calgary Flames, giving the young, rebuilding club a solid veteran presence.
On October 13, Boughner earned his first goal and added an assist for his first points with Calgary, beating Ed Belfour of the Dallas Stars, in a 4–3 Flames victory.
He finished the season with two goals and six points, with a team high 170 penalty minutes in 79 games, however, the Flames failed to reach the playoffs.
In 2002–03, Boughner had the best offensive season of his NHL career, scoring three goals and 17 points in 69 games, however, the Flames missed the playoffs once again.
Due to injuries at the start of the 2003–04 season, Boughner did not appear in his first game with the Carolina Hurricanes until October 28, 2003, where he was held pointless in a 3–0 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Boughner finished the 2003–04 season with the Colorado Avalanche, and appeared in his first game with the team on February 22, 2004, earning no points in a 3–1 win over the Minnesota Wild.