New film honors Warroad hockey icon who blazed trails for Native athletes

Catch up quick: In 1969, he led his small-town high school team to the state championship game before going pro.

• The headband he wore on the ice for the Minnesota North Stars and Detroit Red Wings was more than a trademark; it was a statement of pride in his Native heritage.
• In 1975, an on-ice attack by an opposing player damaged his vision, effectively ending a promising NHL career at age 23. The player who attacked him was later charged with aggravated assault but wasn't convicted.

What to expect: The film explores how Boucha overcame post-hockey struggles, reconnected with his family and hometown, and ultimately "reclaimed his true identity," said director Leya Hale.

What they're saying: "He made a place for Native people in this predominantly white town so that Native people could feel comfortable to come play there and excel in a sport that they probably wouldn't have before," Hale told Axios.

How to watch: "The Electric Indian" debuts at 8pm on TPT Ch. 2 and will be available for streaming on the Twin Cities PBS website.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with the correct title of the documentary "The Electric Indian."