Ray Bourque
Encyclopedia
Raymond Jean "Ray" Bourque (born December 28, 1960) is a former Canadian professional ice hockey
player. He currently holds records for most goals, assists and points by a defenceman
in the National Hockey League
(NHL). Bourque has become near-synonymous with the Boston Bruins
franchise, for which he played 21 seasons and became its longest-serving captain. He finished off his career with the Colorado Avalanche
where he won the Stanley Cup
in his last NHL game.
at the age of 10. Bourque was the third-round pick of the Trois-Rivières Draveurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
(QMJHL). Half-way through his rookie season, coach and GM Michel Bergeron
traded Bourque to Sorel for high-scoring Benoit Gosselin
. After a stellar junior career with Sorel and Verdun of the QMJHL
, in which he was named the league's best defenceman in 1978 and 1979, Raymond Bourque's NHL debut came in 1979 after being drafted 8th overall by the Bruins, with a first-round draft choice obtained from the Los Angeles Kings
in a 1977 trade for goaltender Ron Grahame
, whose son John
would be a future teammate of Bourque's.
He would make an immediate impact in Boston, scoring a goal in his first game while facing the Winnipeg Jets. Bourque asserted himself from the start as one of the best defencemen in the league, winning both the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Star selection, the first time in NHL history a non-goaltender had ever achieved the distinction. His 65 points that season was a record at the time for a rookie defenceman.
In 1985, upon the retirement of Bruins' captain Terry O'Reilly
to coach the club, Bourque and veteran Rick Middleton
were named co-captains of the team, Middleton to wear the "C" during home games and Bourque for road games. Upon Middleton's retirement in 1988, Bourque became the team's sole captain, and retained the position for the remainder of his Bruins' tenure. In so doing, he passed Dit Clapper
as the longest tenured Bruins' captain in history, as well as passing Alex Delvecchio
of the Detroit Red Wings
as the longest-serving team captain in NHL history, a mark since surpassed by Steve Yzerman
of the Red Wings.
Bourque proved a solid force for Boston for twenty-one seasons (1979–2000), famous for combining offensive prowess at a level that few defencemen in league history had ever achieved—he was a perennial shot accuracy champion at All-Star Games
—and near-unparalleled defensive excellence.
Bourque won five Norris Trophies
as the league's top defenceman and finished second to Mark Messier
in 1990 in the closest race ever for the Hart Memorial Trophy
, the league's Most Valuable Player award. The Bruins' reliance on Bourque's on-ice mastery was so total that—while Bourque was very durable throughout much of his career—the team was seen by many to flounder whenever he was out of the lineup.
During Bourque's tenure with the Bruins, the team continued what would be a North American professional record twenty-nine consecutive seasons in the playoffs, a streak that would persist through the 1996 season. In the playoffs, Bourque led the team to the Stanley Cup
Final against the Edmonton Oilers
in both 1988 and 1990, where the Bruins lost in both series.
Bourque was also popular among Bruins fans because of his willingness to re-sign with Boston without any acriminous or lengthy negotiations. He passed over several opportunities to set the benchmark salary for defenceman; instead, he usually quietly and quickly agreed to terms with the Bruins, and this stance irritated the National Hockey League Players' Association which had been pushing to drive up players' wages.
When Bourque started playing for the Bruins, he was assigned jersey number No. 7, the uniform number of ex-Bruins' great Phil Esposito
and only briefly worn afterwards. When the Bruins elected to retire No. 7 in Esposito's honor, on December 3, 1987, Bourque approached Esposito during the on-ice ceremonies and removed his No. 7 jersey to reveal a new No. 77 jersey beneath, "surrendering" the No. 7 jersey in Esposito's favor.
in 1981, 1984, and 1987. However, he did not play in the 1991 edition, despite attempts by Wayne Gretzky
and Mark Messier
to persuade him to take part. Bourque also played for the NHL All-Stars in Rendez-vous '87
against the Soviet Union, and played for the Canadian team in the 1998 Winter Olympics
, leading all defencemen in scoring.
Despite a nucleus of young talent and high expectations for 1999–2000, injuries caused the Bruins to plummet to the bottom of their division, and they went on track to miss the playoffs. This was further exacerbated by negative attention over teammate Marty McSorley
's hit on Donald Brashear
. Bourque requested a trade from the fading Bruins so he would have a chance to win the Stanley Cup
. Initially, he requested a trade to a team on the East Coast such as the Philadelphia Flyers
, and Flyers' general manager Bobby Clarke
offered the Bruins Andy Delmore
and Daymond Langkow
for Bourque. In reality, Bruins general manager Harry Sinden
was finalizing a trade with the Colorado Avalanche
, under the condition that it could not be leaked to the press. Sinden badly wanted Bourque to have a chance to close out his career with a Cup win, and told Bourque, "This may not be your first choice, but this is the team I feel is best." On March 6, 2000, Bourque was traded to Colorado with fellow veteran Dave Andreychuk
for Brian Rolston
, Martin Grenier
, Samuel Påhlsson
and a first round draft pick.
Although Bourque played just a season and a half with the Avalanche, he proved to be a force both on the ice and in the locker room. In 2000, he helped the struggling Avalanche improve their form and capture their division. During the playoffs, they advanced to the conference finals, where they lost to the Dallas Stars
in a hard-fought series, with Bourque hitting the post in the last minutes of Game Seven which would have tied the game after his team rallied from a 3–0 deficit in the third period to 3–2.
In 2000–01—what turned out to be his only full season in Colorado—he was named an alternate captain. He led all Colorado defencemen in scoring, and formed a solid defensive pairing with Adam Foote
and Rob Blake
, the latter of whom the Avs received from the Los Angeles Kings
in a trade. Bourque was named to the postseason First All-Star team, finishing as runner-up to the Detroit Red Wings
' Nicklas Lidstrom
for the Norris Trophy.
In the 2001 playoffs, Bourque scored the game-winning goal in Game Three of the finals against the New Jersey Devils
. After a 4–1 loss in Game Five that put the Avalanche in a series deficit 3–2, Bourque flew in his family and relatives for the pivotal Games Six and Seven, winning them 4–0 and 3–1, respectively. Finally, on June 9, 2001, after 22 seasons, Bourque—and the Avalanche—won the Stanley Cup, in what proved to be Bourque's final game as a player. After team captain Joe Sakic
, who had just won his second title, took the Cup from NHL Commissioner
Gary Bettman
, he immediately handed it to Bourque (without hoisting it himself) so Bourque could take the first victory lap around the ice. This broke a longstanding tradition that called for the captain to take the first lap. Victorious Colorado goalie Patrick Roy
, whose fourth championship had come the same day as Bourque's first, said of the Cup and his teammate, "A name was missing from that [Cup], and today it is back to normal."
Bourque had waited longer to win his first Cup than any other Cup-winning player had in the 108-year history of the Stanley Cup, having played 1,612 regular season and 214 playoff games before winning the Cup. On June 12, 2001, three days after the Cup victory, Bourque exercised his right as a player to bring the Cup back to Boston for an emotional rally in Boston's City Hall Plaza, attended by some 20,000 fans. Bourque retired shortly thereafter, having set defensive regular season records in goals (410) and assists (1169) for 1579 points. During the 2000–01 season, which would be the last for both players, Bourque passed Paul Coffey
(intended to be Bourque's replacement on his former team, the Bruins) to become the all time leader in goals, assists and points for a defenceman at any senior professional level.
Bourque was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in 2004, the first season he was eligible. His uniform number #77 has been retired by both the Bruins and the Avalanche; he is one of only six players (Gordie Howe
, Bobby Hull
, Wayne Gretzky
, Mark Messier
, and Patrick Roy
) whose jersey has been retired by more than one club. His birthplace of Saint-Laurent
named the Aréna Raymond-Bourque in his honour.
He still lives in the Boston area with his wife Christianne, remaining active in several local charities, and was named a Boston Bruins team consultant on November 3, 2005. He is also the co-owner of an Italian restaurant called Tresca in Boston's North End
.
His elder son, Christopher
, was drafted by the Washington Capitals
in 2004. Christopher is a well-regarded prospect who subsequently turned professional, playing for the Hershey Bears
in the 2007 season
and making his NHL debut for the Capitals in 2007. His younger son, Ryan
, was a 3rd round draft choice by the New York Rangers
in 2009, and was a member of the USA's 2010 gold-medal World Junior Championship
team, earning three assists during the tournament. Ryan plays junior hockey for the Quebec Remparts
in the QMJHL who are coached by Raymond's old teammate Patrick Roy
and was an alternate captain for the USA's 2011 World Junior Championship
team, in which he again earned three assists as the team won the bronze medal.
and most amongst defencemen. He won the Norris Trophy
as the top defenceman in the league five times, fourth all-time after Doug Harvey, Bobby Orr
and Nicklas Lidström
.
Among his numerous other records and honors are the following:
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player. He currently holds records for most goals, assists and points by a defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). Bourque has become near-synonymous with the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
franchise, for which he played 21 seasons and became its longest-serving captain. He finished off his career with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
where he won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
in his last NHL game.
Playing career
Raymond Bourque was born in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada, December 28, 1960 then moved with his family to MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
at the age of 10. Bourque was the third-round pick of the Trois-Rivières Draveurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QMJHL). Half-way through his rookie season, coach and GM Michel Bergeron
Michel Bergeron (hockey coach)
Michel Bergeron is a former National Hockey League head coach.Bergeron coached the Quebec Nordiques from 1980 to 1987 before being traded to the New York Rangers for a first round draft pick and $75 000, a first in the NHL history...
traded Bourque to Sorel for high-scoring Benoit Gosselin
Benoit Gosselin
Benoit Gosselin , also known as Ben Gosselin, is a former QMJHL left wing. He played seven games in the NHL during the 1977-1978 season.-Junior career:...
. After a stellar junior career with Sorel and Verdun of the QMJHL
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
, in which he was named the league's best defenceman in 1978 and 1979, Raymond Bourque's NHL debut came in 1979 after being drafted 8th overall by the Bruins, with a first-round draft choice obtained from the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in a 1977 trade for goaltender Ron Grahame
Ron Grahame
Ronald Ian Grahame is a former professional ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association....
, whose son John
John Grahame
John Gillies Mark Grahame is currently the goaltender coach for the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL and is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played most recently for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:Grahame played in the USHL for the Sioux City...
would be a future teammate of Bourque's.
He would make an immediate impact in Boston, scoring a goal in his first game while facing the Winnipeg Jets. Bourque asserted himself from the start as one of the best defencemen in the league, winning both the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Star selection, the first time in NHL history a non-goaltender had ever achieved the distinction. His 65 points that season was a record at the time for a rookie defenceman.
In 1985, upon the retirement of Bruins' captain Terry O'Reilly
Terry O'Reilly
Terence Joseph James O'Reilly is a retired ice hockey right winger, who played for the NHL's Boston Bruins, and one of the most effective enforcers in NHL history....
to coach the club, Bourque and veteran Rick Middleton
Rick Middleton
Richard David "Nifty" Middleton is a former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
were named co-captains of the team, Middleton to wear the "C" during home games and Bourque for road games. Upon Middleton's retirement in 1988, Bourque became the team's sole captain, and retained the position for the remainder of his Bruins' tenure. In so doing, he passed Dit Clapper
Dit Clapper
Aubrey Victor "Dit" Clapper was a Canadian Hall of Fame ice hockey player....
as the longest tenured Bruins' captain in history, as well as passing Alex Delvecchio
Alex Delvecchio
Alexander Peter "Fats" Delvecchio is a former ice hockey player and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.After playing a single junior league season for the Oshawa Generals of the OHA Delvecchio joined the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League for the 1952 season, and helped the team to...
of the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
as the longest-serving team captain in NHL history, a mark since surpassed by Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman
Stephen Gregory "Steve" Yzerman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League...
of the Red Wings.
Bourque proved a solid force for Boston for twenty-one seasons (1979–2000), famous for combining offensive prowess at a level that few defencemen in league history had ever achieved—he was a perennial shot accuracy champion at All-Star Games
National Hockey League All-Star Game
The National Hockey League All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that is traditionally held at the midway point of the regular season of the National Hockey League , with many of the league's star players playing against each other...
—and near-unparalleled defensive excellence.
Bourque won five Norris Trophies
James Norris Memorial Trophy
The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 55 times to 23 different players since its beginnings in...
as the league's top defenceman and finished second to Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
in 1990 in the closest race ever for the Hart Memorial Trophy
Hart Memorial Trophy
The Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, the "oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey", is awarded annually to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team" in the National Hockey League . The Hart Memorial Trophy has been awarded 86 times to 53 different...
, the league's Most Valuable Player award. The Bruins' reliance on Bourque's on-ice mastery was so total that—while Bourque was very durable throughout much of his career—the team was seen by many to flounder whenever he was out of the lineup.
During Bourque's tenure with the Bruins, the team continued what would be a North American professional record twenty-nine consecutive seasons in the playoffs, a streak that would persist through the 1996 season. In the playoffs, Bourque led the team to the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
Final against the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in both 1988 and 1990, where the Bruins lost in both series.
Bourque was also popular among Bruins fans because of his willingness to re-sign with Boston without any acriminous or lengthy negotiations. He passed over several opportunities to set the benchmark salary for defenceman; instead, he usually quietly and quickly agreed to terms with the Bruins, and this stance irritated the National Hockey League Players' Association which had been pushing to drive up players' wages.
#77
Phil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
and only briefly worn afterwards. When the Bruins elected to retire No. 7 in Esposito's honor, on December 3, 1987, Bourque approached Esposito during the on-ice ceremonies and removed his No. 7 jersey to reveal a new No. 77 jersey beneath, "surrendering" the No. 7 jersey in Esposito's favor.
International play
Bourque played for Team Canada in the Canada CupCanada Cup (ice hockey)
The Canada Cup was an invitational international ice hockey tournament held on five occasions between 1976 and 1991. The tournament was created to meet demand for a true world championship that allowed the best players from participating nations to compete regardless of their status as professional...
in 1981, 1984, and 1987. However, he did not play in the 1991 edition, despite attempts by Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
and Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
to persuade him to take part. Bourque also played for the NHL All-Stars in Rendez-vous '87
Rendez-vous '87
Rendez-vous '87 was an international ice hockey series of games between the Soviet national ice hockey team and a team of All-Stars from the National Hockey League, held in Quebec City. It replaced the NHL's All-Star festivities for the 1986–87 NHL season...
against the Soviet Union, and played for the Canadian team in the 1998 Winter Olympics
1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
, leading all defencemen in scoring.
Colorado Avalanche
The Bruins' record for North American professional sports, twenty-nine consecutive seasons in the playoffs, was ended in the 1997 season. The next two seasons, the Bruins returned to the playoffs and in 1999, they won a playoff series for the first time since 1994.Despite a nucleus of young talent and high expectations for 1999–2000, injuries caused the Bruins to plummet to the bottom of their division, and they went on track to miss the playoffs. This was further exacerbated by negative attention over teammate Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...
's hit on Donald Brashear
Donald Brashear
Donald Brashear is an American-Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who is currently a member of the Rivière-du-Loup CIMT in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey . He previously played for five organizations in the National Hockey League . His main role is that of an enforcer. He was...
. Bourque requested a trade from the fading Bruins so he would have a chance to win the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. Initially, he requested a trade to a team on the East Coast such as the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and Flyers' general manager Bobby Clarke
Bobby Clarke
Robert Earle Clarke, OC , better known as Bobby Clarke or, in later life, Bob Clarke, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire National Hockey League career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team...
offered the Bruins Andy Delmore
Andy Delmore
Andrew Delmore is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for Lørenskog IK of the Norwegian GET-ligaen. In his 283 NHL games, Delmore has recorded 43 goals and 58 assists, totalling 101 points...
and Daymond Langkow
Daymond Langkow
Daymond Randolph Langkow is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, fifth overall, of the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 1995 NHL Entry Draft...
for Bourque. In reality, Bruins general manager Harry Sinden
Harry Sinden
Harry James Sinden was the long-time general manager, coach, and president for the Boston Bruins NHL hockey team, and was the coach of Team Canada during the 1972 Summit Series...
was finalizing a trade with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, under the condition that it could not be leaked to the press. Sinden badly wanted Bourque to have a chance to close out his career with a Cup win, and told Bourque, "This may not be your first choice, but this is the team I feel is best." On March 6, 2000, Bourque was traded to Colorado with fellow veteran Dave Andreychuk
Dave Andreychuk
David John Andreychuk is a former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning...
for Brian Rolston
Brian Rolston
Brian Lee Rolston is a professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has won a Stanley Cup Championship with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 playing for Team USA...
, Martin Grenier
Martin Grenier
Martin Grenier is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently a member of the Saguenay Marquis. Grenier resumed his career in June 2011 after taking a year off from professional hockey...
, Samuel Påhlsson
Samuel Påhlsson
Samuel Påhlsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the National Hockey League .-Professional:...
and a first round draft pick.
Although Bourque played just a season and a half with the Avalanche, he proved to be a force both on the ice and in the locker room. In 2000, he helped the struggling Avalanche improve their form and capture their division. During the playoffs, they advanced to the conference finals, where they lost to the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
in a hard-fought series, with Bourque hitting the post in the last minutes of Game Seven which would have tied the game after his team rallied from a 3–0 deficit in the third period to 3–2.
In 2000–01—what turned out to be his only full season in Colorado—he was named an alternate captain. He led all Colorado defencemen in scoring, and formed a solid defensive pairing with Adam Foote
Adam Foote
Adam David Vernon Foote is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He was best known for his physical presence and gritty play as a stay-at-home defenceman....
and Rob Blake
Rob Blake
Robert Bowlby Blake is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, appearing in the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy and serving as team captain for five seasons in his initial 11 season-stint with...
, the latter of whom the Avs received from the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in a trade. Bourque was named to the postseason First All-Star team, finishing as runner-up to the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
' Nicklas Lidstrom
Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain...
for the Norris Trophy.
In the 2001 playoffs, Bourque scored the game-winning goal in Game Three of the finals against the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. After a 4–1 loss in Game Five that put the Avalanche in a series deficit 3–2, Bourque flew in his family and relatives for the pivotal Games Six and Seven, winning them 4–0 and 3–1, respectively. Finally, on June 9, 2001, after 22 seasons, Bourque—and the Avalanche—won the Stanley Cup, in what proved to be Bourque's final game as a player. After team captain Joe Sakic
Joe Sakic
Joseph Steven "Joe" Sakic is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 20-year tenure, Sakic won the Stanley Cup twice, captured numerous NHL...
, who had just won his second title, took the Cup from NHL Commissioner
NHL Commissioner
The National Hockey League Commissioner is the highest-ranking executive officer in the National Hockey League . The position was created in 1993 with Gary Bettman as the first Commissioner...
Gary Bettman
Gary Bettman
Gary Bruce Bettman is the commissioner of the National Hockey League , a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice-president and general counsel to the National Basketball Association...
, he immediately handed it to Bourque (without hoisting it himself) so Bourque could take the first victory lap around the ice. This broke a longstanding tradition that called for the captain to take the first lap. Victorious Colorado goalie Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
, whose fourth championship had come the same day as Bourque's first, said of the Cup and his teammate, "A name was missing from that [Cup], and today it is back to normal."
Bourque had waited longer to win his first Cup than any other Cup-winning player had in the 108-year history of the Stanley Cup, having played 1,612 regular season and 214 playoff games before winning the Cup. On June 12, 2001, three days after the Cup victory, Bourque exercised his right as a player to bring the Cup back to Boston for an emotional rally in Boston's City Hall Plaza, attended by some 20,000 fans. Bourque retired shortly thereafter, having set defensive regular season records in goals (410) and assists (1169) for 1579 points. During the 2000–01 season, which would be the last for both players, Bourque passed Paul Coffey
Paul Coffey
Paul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
(intended to be Bourque's replacement on his former team, the Bruins) to become the all time leader in goals, assists and points for a defenceman at any senior professional level.
Retirement
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in 2004, the first season he was eligible. His uniform number #77 has been retired by both the Bruins and the Avalanche; he is one of only six players (Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
, Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull
Robert Marvin "Bobby" Hull, OC is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is regarded as one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time and perhaps the greatest left winger to ever play the game. Hull was famous for his blonde hair, blinding skating speed, and having the hardest shot, earning...
, Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
, and Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
) whose jersey has been retired by more than one club. His birthplace of Saint-Laurent
Saint-Laurent, Quebec
Saint-Laurent is a former city on the Island of Montreal in southwestern Quebec, Canada. It is now the largest in area of the boroughs of the city of Montreal....
named the Aréna Raymond-Bourque in his honour.
He still lives in the Boston area with his wife Christianne, remaining active in several local charities, and was named a Boston Bruins team consultant on November 3, 2005. He is also the co-owner of an Italian restaurant called Tresca in Boston's North End
North End, Boston, Massachusetts
The North End is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It has the distinction of being the city's oldest residential community, where people have lived continuously since it was settled in the 1630s. Though small , the neighborhood has approximately 100 eating establishments, and a variety of...
.
His elder son, Christopher
Chris Bourque
Christopher Bourque is an American professional ice hockey player for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. Bourque was drafted by the Capitals 33rd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
, was drafted by the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
in 2004. Christopher is a well-regarded prospect who subsequently turned professional, playing for the Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
in the 2007 season
2006–07 AHL season
The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals....
and making his NHL debut for the Capitals in 2007. His younger son, Ryan
Ryan Bourque
Ryan Bourque is an American ice hockey forward who currently plays in the American Hockey League with the Connecticut Whale. He is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Ray Bourque and the brother of Washington Capitals' prospect Chris Bourque. He was a 3rd round draft choice by the New York Rangers in...
, was a 3rd round draft choice by the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in 2009, and was a member of the USA's 2010 gold-medal World Junior Championship
2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2010 IIHF World U20 Championship, commonly referred to as the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships , was the 34th edition of World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The tournament was hosted in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, from December 26, 2009 to January 5, 2010...
team, earning three assists during the tournament. Ryan plays junior hockey for the Quebec Remparts
Québec Remparts
There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The first franchise played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has played since 1997. Both franchises were based out of Quebec City, Quebec...
in the QMJHL who are coached by Raymond's old teammate Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
and was an alternate captain for the USA's 2011 World Junior Championship
2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2011 IIHF World U20 Championship, commonly referred to as the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships , was the 2011 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was hosted by the United States. The games were played in Western New York, at HSBC Arena in Buffalo and Niagara...
team, in which he again earned three assists as the team won the bronze medal.
Awards and achievements
Bourque's prowess led him to become one of the most honored players in hockey history. During his career, he was selected to thirteen NHL First Team (the most in history) and six Second Team All-Star squads, second in total in league history only to Gordie HoweGordie Howe
Gordon "Gordie" Howe, OC is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers of the National Hockey League , and the Houston Aeros and New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association . Howe is often referred to as Mr...
and most amongst defencemen. He won the Norris Trophy
James Norris Memorial Trophy
The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 55 times to 23 different players since its beginnings in...
as the top defenceman in the league five times, fourth all-time after Doug Harvey, Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr
Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr, OC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Orr played in the National Hockey League for his entire career, the first ten seasons with the Boston Bruins, joining the Chicago Black Hawks for two more. Orr is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest...
and Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Lidström
Nicklas Erik Lidström is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenseman who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, and is their captain...
.
Among his numerous other records and honors are the following:
- Retired third (second among defencemen), and is currently eighth (fourth among defencemen), in all-time games played with 1,612.
- Retired second, and is currently fourth, in all-time assists with 1,169; this is still a record for defencemen.
- Is eleventh in all-time points scored with 1,579.
- Is first in all-time points scored by a defenceman with 1,579.
- Is first in all-time defence goals scored with 410.
- The career leader in shots on goal with 6,206, nearly one thousand ahead of the second leading shooter, Marcel DionneMarcel DionneMarcel Elphege "Little Beaver" Dionne is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers...
. - Is third in all-time cumulative plus-minus with 528, behind Larry RobinsonLarry RobinsonLarry Clark Robinson is a former ice hockey player and coach in the National Hockey League. Robinson was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1995 and is currently the defensive coach for the New Jersey Devils...
and Orr. - Won the Norris Trophy in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1994.
- Won the King Clancy Memorial TrophyKing Clancy Memorial TrophyThe King Clancy Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. Since the award was established in 1988, no player has won it more than...
in 1992. - Received the Lester Patrick TrophyLester Patrick TrophyThe Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, coaches, officials, and other personnel outside the NHL...
in 2003. - Named a NHL First Team All-Star in 1980, 1982, 1984–1985, 1987–1988, 1990–1994, 1996 and 2001.
- Named a Second Team All-Star in 1981, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1995 and 1999.
- Became only the sixth defenceman in professional history to score 30 goals in a season, 1984
- Became only the third defenceman in professional history to reach the 1,000 NHL points milestone, 1992
- Is the Bruins' all-time career leader in games played (1,518), assists (1,111) and points (1,506), also ranking fourth in goals and first in assists with a single team (any position)
- Registered his 1,528th point Oct. 25, 2000, vs. Nashville, passing Paul CoffeyPaul CoffeyPaul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
as the NHL's all-time leader among defencemen. - Registered his 1,137th assist Dec. 21, 2000, vs. L.A. Kings, passing Coffey for second place on the NHL's all-time assists list and first among defencemen.
- Named to play in the All-Star Game for the 19th consecutive season, passing Wayne GretzkyWayne GretzkyWayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
for the league record, 2001; Bourque also appeared in the All-Star Game in every season that it was held during his career (there was no game in 1987 or 1995). - Was named the Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Game in 1996.
- Is third all-time in playoff assists and tenth all-time in playoff points.
- In 1998, three years before the end of his career, he was ranked number 14 on The Hockey NewsThe Hockey NewsThe Hockey News, commonly abbreviated to THN, is a North American ice hockey magazine published by Transcontinental. The Hockey News was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Bill Côté, and has since been the most recognized hockey publication in North America...
list of the one hundred greatest hockey players of all time. He was the highest-ranking player who had not yet won a Stanley Cup, the next highest being No. 38-ranked Dionne. - Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champion — 20012001 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 2001 Stanley Cup Finals was contested by the Eastern Conference champion and defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference champion Colorado Avalanche, making the franchise's second Stanley Cup Finals appearance, and first since the team won the 1996 Finals. The...
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1976–77 1976–77 QMJHL season The 1976–77 QMJHL season was the eighth season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The leagues renames its division in honour of Robert Lebel and Frank Dilio, two lifetime contributors to ice hockey in Quebec. The East Division becomes the "Dilio Division" and the West Division... |
Sorel Black Hawks | QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... |
69 | 12 | 36 | 48 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1977–78 1977–78 QMJHL season The 1977–78 QMJHL season was the ninth season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates two awards, the Robert Lebel Trophy for the team with best goals against average, and the Guy Lafleur Trophy for the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs. Ten teams played... |
Verdun Black Hawks | QMJHL | 72 | 22 | 57 | 79 | 90 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1978–79 1978–79 QMJHL season The 1978–79 QMJHL season was the tenth season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The QMJHL unveils a new logo for its tenth anniversary, using the letters of league's french acronym shaped as an ice skate. Ten teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
Verdun Black Hawks | QMJHL | 63 | 22 | 71 | 93 | 44 | 11 | 3 | 16 | 19 | 18 | ||
| 1979–80 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
80 | 17 | 48 | 65 | 73 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 27 | ||
| 1980–81 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 67 | 27 | 29 | 56 | 96 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1981–82 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 65 | 17 | 49 | 66 | 51 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 16 | ||
| 1982–83 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 65 | 22 | 51 | 73 | 20 | 17 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 10 | ||
| 1983–84 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 78 | 31 | 65 | 96 | 57 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1984–85 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 73 | 20 | 66 | 86 | 53 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 1985–86 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 74 | 19 | 58 | 77 | 68 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1986–87 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 78 | 23 | 72 | 95 | 36 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1987–88 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 78 | 17 | 64 | 81 | 72 | 23 | 3 | 18 | 21 | 26 | ||
| 1988–89 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 60 | 18 | 43 | 61 | 52 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1989–90 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 76 | 19 | 65 | 84 | 50 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 17 | 16 | ||
| 1990–91 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 76 | 21 | 73 | 94 | 75 | 19 | 7 | 18 | 25 | 12 | ||
| 1991–92 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 80 | 21 | 60 | 81 | 56 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | ||
| 1992–93 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 78 | 19 | 63 | 82 | 40 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1993–94 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 72 | 20 | 71 | 91 | 58 | 13 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 0 | ||
| 1994–95 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 46 | 12 | 31 | 43 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1995–96 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 80 | 20 | 62 | 82 | 58 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 2 | ||
| 1996–97 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 62 | 19 | 31 | 50 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 82 | 13 | 35 | 48 | 80 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1998–99 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 81 | 10 | 47 | 57 | 34 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 14 | ||
| 1999–00 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 65 | 10 | 28 | 38 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... |
NHL | 14 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 8 | ||
| 2000–01 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 80 | 7 | 52 | 59 | 48 | 21 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 12 | ||
| QMJHL totals | 204 | 56 | 164 | 220 | 195 | 15 | 5 | 17 | 22 | 18 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1612 | 410 | 1169 | 1579 | 1141 | 214 | 41 | 139 | 180 | 171 | ||||
See also
- Captain (ice hockey)Captain (ice hockey)In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
- Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of FameThe Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
- List of NHL statistical leaders
- Notable families in the NHL
- List of NHL players with 1000 assists
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played