Rene Bourque Assigned to Admirals for Conditioning
Published on January 22, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
CHICAGO, Illinois - Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that Chicago has assigned left wing Rene Bourque to the Admirals on a conditioning loan. In addition, Norfolk General Manager Al MacIsaac announced today that the club has released forward Gregg Johnson from a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO).
Bourque (pronounced "REH-nee BOHRK"), 25, is a 6'2", 210 lb. left wing from Lac La Biche, Alberta. He spent his rookie season with the Admirals, leading the team with 33 goals and 60 points in 78 regular season games during the 2004-05 season. He added a goal in six 2005 Calder Cup Playoff matches.
Bourque earned several honors during his season in Norfolk. He was a 2005 AHL All-Star, winning the CCM/Vector Hardest Shot Competition during the AHL All-Star Skills Competition. He also was the 2005 Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award winner as the AHL's Outstanding Rookie and was named to the 2005 AHL All-Rookie Team. His 33 goals in a single season were a new Norfolk franchise record. Brandon Bochenski has since equaled that mark, as he netted his 33rd goal of the campaign on Saturday.
Bourque is one of two players to have scored in both his AHL debut with the Admirals and his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks. On October 16, 2004, Bourque netted the game-winning goal for Norfolk against Hershey in his Admirals debut. On October 5, 2005, he scored a power play goal for Chicago against the Anaheim Ducks. Dustin Byfuglien is the only other player to have accomplished that feat thus far.
Bourque has appeared in 24 games with the Blackhawks this season, scoring four goals and adding four assists with 20 penalty minutes. He has been recovering from an ankle injury since early January. His playing time was also limited by a deep laceration in his neck when he was cut by a skate on November 12, causing him to miss over a month of playing time.
The undrafted winger signed a free agent deal with Chicago during the 2004 off-season. He re-signed a two-year deal with the Blackhawks on July 13, 2006. In 101 career NHL games, Bourque has 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points and 76 penalty minutes.
Johnson, 24, is a 5'11", 191 lb. center from Windsor, Connecticut. He was signed to a third PTO with the Admirals on January 5. He appeared in seven games for Norfolk in his latest stint with the team, registering his first three points as an Admiral (one goal and two assists) and no penalty minutes. On the season, Johnson has played 11 games with Norfolk. He appeared in his 100th career AHL contest yesterday in Philadelphia.
In 21 games with the Trenton Titans (ECHL) this season, Johnson has 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points and six penalty minutes
Originally an eighth round draft pick (256th overall) of the Ottawa Senators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Johnson is a veteran of three professional seasons spent with the Binghamton Senators (AHL), Pee Dee Pride (ECHL), Trenton and Norfolk.
Johnson has appeared in 100 career AHL games posting nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points and 49 penalty minutes.
The Admirals are now preparing for a Friday night showdown against their East Division rivals the Hershey Bears. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. Friday night's game will feature an AJ Gator's Pre-Game Party. For more information, please visit norfolkadmirals.com. Also on Friday, the first 2,500 fans through the gate will receive an Admirals' T-shirt courtesy of Liberty Tax Service. The Admirals will also honor the fifth STIHL Hometown Hero of the season during the game.
Individual game tickets for all Admirals regular season games range from $11-$16 and are on sale at all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at (757) 671-8100 or at ticketmaster.com. Season tickets, ten-packs and group tickets remain on sale through the Admirals' office and through the Admirals' website. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 640-1212 or visit them online at norfolkadmirals.com.
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