Bruins fans turn out everywhere, Ray Bourque says
Alumni game part of 50th anniversary of Norwood hockey
Ray Bourque is always impressed by how many Boston Bruins fans live in Canada.
The Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman will be in Norwood on Saturday night with the Bruins alumni to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Norwood minor hockey and the Norwood and District Figure Skating Club. The Bruins will faceoff against Norwood Hornets Alumni at 6:30 p.m. at the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre.
Bourque will be joined by former Bruins Joe Mullen, Ken Linesman, ex-Pete Tom Fergus, Al Iafrete, Bob Sweeney, Dave Shaw, Andrew Raycroft and making his alumni debut area resident Marc Savard.
While the majority of Bruins alumni events are in the New England region, Bourque says they venture afar several times a year.
“We go through the Maritimes a lot where their allegiance is usually to three teams — the Leafs, Canadiens or Bruins. We went through Ontario once before for and we got a big response. You’d be surprised how many Bruins fans are out there. The Original Six teams always have a pretty good following regardless of where we go.”
Between alumni and weekly pick-up games in Boston, Bourque hits the ice about 40 times a year.
“I’ve slowed down a little bit,” he said, with a chuckle.
Bourque holds the NHL record for most career goals, assists and points by a defenceman.
“That’s OK. I still get around all right. The body feels fine, shockingly, since I turn 58 next month,” he said.
“It’s tough when you see a whole bunch of young kids come out warming up and you see them buzzing around. It’s like, ‘Ok, I might have to work a little harder than I thought for this one.’
When that happens, you try to keep up. Usually the brains, the hockey smarts, make a difference.”
This is one of four trips he’ll make with the Bruins into Canada this season. Earlier they visited a First Nations Reserve in Northern Quebec. Later this season they’ll visit British Columbia and Red Deer, Alta.
“Whenever the alumni goes on the road I’m usually a part of that group,” he said.
Bourque grew up in Montreal but calls Boston home. He owns a restaurant called Tresca that is a six-minute walk to Boston’s TD Garden arena. He also operates a family charitable foundation. His wife owns a Boston spa and they have a daughter, two sons and three grandchildren they like to spend time with. Their sons Christopher and Ryan play pro hockey with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers so they get to some games. He also takes golf trips to warmer areas in the winter.
Bourque played 22 NHL seasons all but the last season-and-ahalf with Boston. He won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.
“I lived the dream. It was a lot of fun,” he said.
When asked what he’s most proud of, he replied; “I’m really proud of how consistent I was year-in and year-out. I took a lot of pride in trying to be a consistent player for your team and your teammates and be reliable every night.”
His jersey was retired by both his NHL teams.
“I never thought I’d leave Boston but the situation at that time wasn’t a good one. I was coming to the end and we weren’t competing and hadn’t for a few years. I wanted to compete again and challenge myself to see what I had left. I had an incredible experience in Colorado for a year-anda-half. After winning the Cup there it was well worth it.
“We went to two finals in Boston and didn’t really come close. After winning in Colorado with everything that went on after with the celebrations and parade and hoisting the Cup — you really, really wish you could have seen that happen in Boston. I saw it as a fan when they won in 2011. I knew it was going to be crazy add it certainly was.”
The Norwood celebrations kicked off with Hornets rep games Thursday and Friday nights. NHL legend Bobby Hull will be guest speaker at a luncheon at the Norwood Town Hall from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
On Sunday, figure skating champions Kurt Browning, Nam Nguyen and Alissa Czisny will be at a brunch at the Norwood Legion from 10 a.m. to noon. They’ll take to the ANCC ice from 1:30 to 4 p.m. for a skating clinic and demonstration with local skaters.
NOTE: All tickets are available at the arena or from Greg Hartwick at ghartwick@nexicom.net or 705-639-2342.