Claude Boivin

Before the 1988 draft, the Flyers desperately wanted to trade up into the top 10 of the draft, offering to sacrifice their 14th overall selection and a package of players/prospects to do so. The Flyers had their eyes on one of two top prospects in that draft. One was a young Finnish winger named Teemu Selänne. The other was college-bound center named of Rod Brind'Amour. The Flyers however were not able to make any deals. Brind'Amour went 9th overall to St. Louis, and became a solid player for many years, many of which were eventually in a Philly uniform as a result of a later trade. Selänne followed Brind'Amour by going 10th overall to the Winnipeg Jets. Of course Selanne went on to smash the NHL rookie scoring record and became one of the most feared snipers of his day. The Flyers also missed out on Jeremy Roenick and Martin Gelinas.

The Flyers ended up with Claude Boivin, one of the bigger busts in Flyers draft history. Boivin was highly touted after a strong first year in the QMJHL with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. He scored 23 goals and 49 points while piling up 233 penalty minutes. His draft position was enhanced by a strong playoff showing by Boivin and his team as the Voltigeurs played deep into the playoffs. Boivin's 5 goal, 8 point post season was highlited by his strong play along the boards and in front of the net.

After being drafted, Boivin returned to Drummondville but disappointed by not taking his game to the next level. He scored 20 goals and 56 points with 218 PIM. He played strong, but was expected to play at a much higher level.

Boivin had a strong final season in 1989-90 with the Laval Titan. He scored 24 goals and 51 assists with 309 PIM plus had a strong playoff with 7 goals and 13 assists in 13 games.

Claude played his first professional season with the Flyers farm team in Hershey. He scored 13 goals but impressed with 32 assists for 45 points. There was hope that Boivin may yet develop into a top player like was first hoped when he was drafted. Knee injuries did not help.

Boivin made the Flyers in 1991-92 but played a limited 3rd or 4th line role. He scored 5 goals and 18 points in 58 games, with 187 PIM. He had an injury filled 1992-93 season with Philly and started the 1993-94 year with the Flyers before a late season trade saw him go to Ottawa. With Ottawa he played 18 games over the next two years before he retired.

Boivin didn't have the skating skills or puck skills to play at the NHL level. Because he didn't skate well enough he couldn't do a good job as a role playing mucker and grinder either. In short he earned his lofty draft position because of an overachieving playoff in his draft year, but rarely showed that form again.