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Thought you folks would be interested in this article.
Bourque knows the agony of defeat
By DAN BARNES -- Edmonton Sun
Ray Bourque is a lifer.
He has spent parts of 18 years, half his life in fact, as a Boston Bruin. He
will always be a Bruin, even after the skates have been hung up. If that means
never winning a Stanley Cup, that's a price he is apparently willing to pay.
The Bruins are in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the first time in 30
years. He might have two seasons left in him. He's running out of time, but not
running out on the Bruins. "I think I'll probably end up playing here even if
that means not winning a Cup or having another opportunity to win one. I am
always optimistic and I always kind of look at the situation as the glass
half-full in terms of things getting better and possibly getting another
opportunity.
HE'S STAYING PUT
"Right now, hockeywise, it might not look all that bright in terms of winning a
Cup. I hope that things get better in the course of the off-season and hopefully
we improve and we get to the situation where we get good enough to maybe give
ourselves an opportunity.
"Saying that, I really don't have any plans on going to play anywhere else. I
have been here for 18 years. My family and myself are established here. This is
home and we enjoy it. So, I plan on finishing my career in Boston."
And just how much is left in the career of the five-time Norris Trophy winner?
That's a question he can almost answer with certainty.
"Well, I think next year is definite and the year after that and that would make
20 years and I really don't see past that. I think 20 years would be a nice
number. And, I hope to keep a high level and go out and still be a big part of
the club. After that, I would be very surprised if I went on."
Since joining the team out of Verdun, Que., in 1979-80, Bourque has gone on to
become the team's all-time leading point-getter and has led them in scoring in
five of his 17 seasons. He has been a first-team all-star selection 12 times and
made second team in his five other seasons. He was a Canada Cup player three
times and had another opportunity to represent his country in last summer's
World Cup but turned down the invitation.
If they come calling for him to play in the Olympics in Nagano, Japan, next year,
he'll jump at the chance.
"If I am able to be a part of that team and still doing the job and they feel I
will be able to help win gold, it would be a thrill to play for Canada in the
Olympics."
But first the task at hand.
Nobody on this edition of the Bruins, Bourque least of all, wants to be known
for being part of the first Boston team to miss post-season play for three
decades.
"At times it is mentioned and it is talked about. But it is not something that
you talk about every day. We just have to group together and just look at it in
short terms, in terms of game to game and trying to get the right effort and the
right play out of everybody. Obviously we know we have to start winning some
games because we're running out of time."
AN EMPTY CHASE?
Sort of like Bourque himself as he chases that all-too-elusive Stanley Cup.
"If it ends without me winning a Cup, so be it. It doesn't mean I haven't
accomplished much and I haven't had a great career. Things have gone well and
everything that has come along for me, I have really taken in stride and haven't
taken too seriously.
"I am probably going to enjoy it a lot more after all is said and done. But ...
winning a Cup would be the ultimate. And hopefully I will get to experience that
some day."
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| The question is not WHAT Bourque is doing, it's WHY?
He's said 1000 times he's not leaving. That's no answer.
WHY would someone of his caliber, NOT want to win the big prize?
WHY is he satisfied with this team given the current situation?
> Ray wants to be a Bruins for his whole career, which will be 20years.
> 2 more to go. After that time HE WILL move to the Bruins front office
> or possibly become the team's coach. He will have a role with this
> team once the skates come off.
Why couldn't he say to Harry, "trade me to team X, I'll play 2 years,
see what happens, and then come back and coach the B's in two years"
> THIS IS WHAT HE and HARRY WANT.
I know why Harry wants it, I just don't know WHY Ray does?
> So if one more person starts a reply or comments in their note about
> how Bourque's should go someplace else I'm gonna puke in a bag and
> mail it to you.
Wow, what e-mail system are you using, anyway? :-)
Ok, I agree, we're beating a dead horse here. Guess we'll never know
WHY (not WHAT) until he write his memoirs someday.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
-Barry C.
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Ray Bourque will NOT ask to be traded. Harry should make a deal
to a top team (Detroit, Colorado, Pittsburgh, Philly). A team that has
a legitimate chance to win the Stanley Cup. Make the deal on the
condition that Bourque agrees to the trade.
Ron E.
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