Re: Boston University Offseason Thread 2: Moving Forward by Booting Forwards
Did Ray laugh when people told him Chris Bourque was too small? Cause ya know, he's probably not laughing now that his kid had to run to the KHL and sign with a Russian team.
Probably. laughed when he was named MVP of Calder
The same age Gilroy was playing with 18 and 19 year olds, Bourque was doing this.
He is still a kid and will continue a very nice carear
Hershey Bears winger Chris Bourque named playoff MVP
Published: Monday, June 14, 2010, 11:56 PM Updated: Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 1:09 AM
TIM LEONE, The Patriot-News
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Hershey Bears Chris Bourque is congratulated by teammates after being named the MVP of the playoffs after the Bears defeated Texas Stars in game 6 of the Calder Cup finals at Giant Center .06/14/2010 Sean Simmers, The Patriot - News
PAUL CHAPLIN, The Patriot-NewsHershey Bears and their fans celebrate after Karl Azner's goal gave the Bears a 2-0 first-period lead over the Texas Stars.
Chris Bourque has been a touchstone during an epic run of excellence that began in 2005-06 for the Hershey Bears.
Thus, it was fitting that the left winger was named the winner of the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as playoff MVP Monday night after Hershey won its third Calder Cup in the past five seasons.
“It’s special,” Bourque said. “It’s my third time winning it. This is the best one of all.”
Bourque became the first man in the club’s 72-year AHL history to be on three Hershey Calder Cup teams as a player.
“That’s pretty awesome,” Bourque said. “Maybe that will sink in once things settle down here. It’s been a fun ride since I’ve been here in Hershey. All the fans are awesome. All the guys are awesome.”
Bourque and teammate Alex Giroux tied for the AHL playoff scoring lead (27 points). Bourque had seven goals and 20 assists.
“When he came to the team, that’s when things really came together for us,” Bears defenseman Patrick McNeill said. “The proof is in the stats. He’s a hell of a hockey player.”
At the start of the season, Bourque was claimed off waivers from the Washington Capitals by the Pittsburgh Penguins and played 20 NHL games. When Pittsburgh tried to assign him to the AHL, the Caps claimed him back for Hershey in early December.
“The biggest acquisition of the year, to get a guy and not have to give something up,” Bears head coach Mark French said.
Bourque had 70 points (22 goals, 48 assists) in 49 games in the regular season.
“If he would have played a full season, he certainly would have eclipsed the 100-point mark and probably would have fought tooth and nail to get the [regular-season] MVP [with Giroux and MVP winner and teammate Keith Aucoin],” French said. “It’s kind of fitting that he gets the playoff MVP. He was a special player all through it.”
Bourque and the Bears also went to the Calder Cup finals in 2006-07, when they lost to Hamilton. He credited Doug Yingst, president-GM of the Bears, and the Caps organization for their commitment to winning.
“They make sure they put a good team in front of this crowd,” Bourque said. “It’s unbelievable. Back to back [Calder Cup championships]. It’s so much fun to play here. I’ve had so much fun the last five years. It’s crazy.”
