Defenseman David Bourque will return to Brahmas
July 24, 2002 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Worth Brahmas News Release
Fort Worth- The Ft. Worth Brahmas added a familiar face to their roster on Wednesday morning when defenseman David Bourque signed a contract and agreed to return to Ft. Worth for the upcoming 2002-2003 CHL season.
Bourque, 6'1", 205, played in 61 regular season games for the Brahmas in 2001-2002. His 24 points (9G/15A) were the third highest total amongst Brahmas blueliners last year. Included in his nine goals were two game winning goals and two power play goals.
The 2002-2003 campaign will be Bourque's second season in Ft. Worth. He was originally acquired by the Brahmas on August 23, 2001 from the Corpus Christi IceRays in exchange for future considerations.
The addition of Bourque gives Brahmas head coach Todd Lalonde another player that he is very familiar with. In addition to having Bourque on his Brahmas team last season, Lalonde coached Bourque during the 2000-2001 season with the Central Texas Stampede of the WPHL.
The 26-year old Bourque will be entering his third full professional season. He originally turned pro in 1997, playing fourteen games during the 1997-1998 season in the East Coast Hockey League (2 with Columbus and 12 with Birmingham). An illness in the family forced him to leave Birmingham in December of 1997 and return to his native Gloucester, Ontario. He sat out the entire 1998-1999 season and the first half of the 1999-2000 season taking care of his family before returning to pro hockey with the Asheville Smoke (United Hockey League) in the spring of 1999. He registered a single assist in the final 19 games of the 1999-2000 season for the Smoke. In the 2000-2001 season, Bourque played in 38 games for Central Texas and 24 games for Corpus Christi, totaling 4 goals and 13 assists for 17 points.
Prior to turning pro, Bourque played three seasons of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League from 1994-1997. Skating with both the Kingston Frontenacs and Sarnia Sting over the course of his 154 game junior career, Bourque totaled 5 goals and 25 assists.
Lalonde believes that Bourque will be an important part of his team this season.
"David should be a key player for us. He's a solid defenseman who is capable of contributing 30-40 points if he stays healthy. He is versatile and skilled enough to play in every situation for usâeven strength, power play, penalty kill. Towards the end of last season, he started to really play well. I look for him to continue that improvement this year," said Lalonde.
Bourque said he has high expectations for his second season in Ft. Worth.
"I'm ready to get started. Last year was great (winning 30 games and making the playoffs), but I expect even better things this season. I believe that I will be a better player this year and the Brahmas will be a better team. We've already signed a handful of quality players and I know that there are more on the way. I'm excited to be a part of the Brahmas organization and looking forward to a great season," he said.
The addition of Bourque gives the Brahmas nine players on their 2002-2003 roster. Chad Woollard (LW), Adam Davis (D), Ryan Rivard (LW), Chad Grills (C), Justin Williams (F), Brant Somerville (D), Lee Jacobson (D), and Scott Roche (G) have already inked contracts this off season with Ft. Worth. Bourque joins Woollard and Davis as returning players from the 2001-2002 Brahmas squad.
The Brahmas will begin their sixth season, and second in the CHL, in mid October of 2002. Season ticket and advertising packages remain on sale now. For more information, please contact the Brahmas office at (817) 336-4423.
Central Hockey League Stories from July 24, 2002
- All-Star Returns to Buzzards Line-up - El Paso Buzzards
- Defenseman David Bourque will return to Brahmas - Fort Worth Brahmas
- Jeff Petruic Signs - Wichita Thunder
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
