Hershey Bears‘ 11th year (that can’t be right) left wing Chris Bourque(17) has a wicked wrister.
The now 30-year old (that can’t be right) leads the AHL in scoring, is second in goals and assists and looks be on mark to have his first 30 goal season and will likely break the 50 assist mark for the third time in his pro career. He had 66 for the Bears in 2011/2012.
Washington Capitals signed him pretty quickly at free agency for a couple of years and it’s sort of a wonder why he wouldn’t be given another look up top with his offensive output where it is.
Chris Bourque(17) Providence Bruins
Fully ensconced in his 8th pro year, left wing Chris Bourque(17) now sports a spoked emblem on the front of his jersey similar to the one his dad wore for 21 seasons.
The first son wears a “P” for Providence on his sweater, whereas his dad proudly wore the “B” for Boston Bruins.
Temporarily with no place to move up the ladder, the AHL veteran forward is right at home playing his games at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, a building he skated many a contests for opposing teams, instead of up the highway at the TD Garden.
The still only 26-year old is off the scoring pace that made him the top point getter in the league last season with 93, but 14 games in he has a pair of goals and 8 assists, which is very respectable.
If things stayed stalled with the NHL talks, he may not be a league leader in 2012/2013 with the talent pool the way it is but he’ll almost certainly for a fourth start year end the campaign as a point per game performer.
Chris Bourque(17) Boston Bruins
The name Bourque will once again appear in Black & Gold.
Boston Bruins traded former 1st round pick, center Zach Hamill to Washington Capitals for left wing and son of Ray, Chris Bourque(17).
He has played 411 games through 6 seasons with Hershey Bears in the AHL throughout his 7-year pro career scoring 131 goals and an eye-popping 264 assists.
The 5’8″ 181 lbs. forward won three Calder Cups with the Bears, was playoff MVP in 2010 and lead the league in scoring this season with 93 points in 73 games.
He was a 2nd round pick in the 2004 draft (#33 overall) but has only skated in 33 NHL games scoring one goal with three helpers and most of those games ironically were played with Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 26-year old could definitely find a spot with the big club is he works for it but honestly the first time he steps onto either the Garden or even Dunkin’ Donuts Center ice in those colors, it’s going to be one strange but glorious sight.
Related posts: 12/1/11 and 10/9/11.
Chris and Ryan Bourque(17)
It was dubbed the Bourque Bowl by the folks in the media with Connecticut Whale and honestly that’s pretty much exactly what it was.
Stanley Cup Champion / Hall Of Fame defenseman, Ray Bourque‘s two sons play for a pair of AHL teams and this would be the first time in not only their pro playing career but pretty much ever that the brothers would play against each other.
Because of the 5 year age difference they really never had the chance: until now.
In his 7th year, Washington Capitals‘ 2004 2nd round pick (#33 overall), Chris Bourque(17) is absolutely tearing up the scoring sheet with Hershey Bears. His 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) have him in second amongst the league leading scorers.
His younger brother, Ryan Bourque(17) was New York Rangers‘ 2009 3rd round pick (#80 overall). He played two seasons in juniors before turning pro this season and gets his pro start with Connecticut Whale.
He’s described as a good overall player that forechecks ferociously. In 13 games he has 1 goal and a pair of assists. Listed at 5’9″ 164 lbs, he’s small like his older brother but plays much bigger than his listed size suggests.
The brothers both wear the number 17.
Chris Bourque(17) Hershey Bears
Entering his 7th season pro, 2004 Washington Capitals 2nd round pick (#34 overall) Chris Bourque(17), son of Ray, returns to the “team” after a year abroad to play in the KHL and Swiss-A leagues. He’ll likely spend the majority of his playing time in the AHL with Hershey, where he’s played 319 of his games.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get more looks in the NHL to add to his 33 games with the Caps and Pittsburgh Penguins (1 goal, 3 assists). He has good hands and maybe it’s just taken more to grow into his game.
