Bourque Brothers Reunite in Chocolate Town
Ryan Bourque skates in his first practice with the Hershey Bears (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
For the first time since the end of the 2015 season, Chris and Ryan Bourque will be sporting the uniform as the younger Ryan joins the Hershey Bears.
“Obviously thrilled,” Chris said about the opportunity to play with Ryan again. “I got the chance to play with him last year. That was a first for us, we enjoyed it. It’s great to spend time with family. You don’t get to see each other too much when you are playing on opposite teams. To have him here is great for myself, him, and the family too.”
“I was a little shocked but most of all I was just really excited,” Ryan said about coming to Hershey. “I know I played with my brother last year, but to be able to come to the place where he started in the league and where he’s made his home is really special. The guys here have been great and I can’t wait to get started.”
Chris and Ryan will skate on the same line together Friday night in Binghamton, taking the two back to their days of playing street hockey. “Mostly me just beating up on him, to be honest,” Chris said with a laugh about their younger days playing together. “I would stick him in net and he would play goalie. We’d play mini-hockey or street hockey outside all the time. A little bit of an age gap with the five years, but I don’t think I’d pick a fight with him now, though.”
“I think he is smart to say that,” Ryan responded with a chuckle. “When you are 15 and 10 it’s a little different than being grown up. We have a lot of fun together and we make the most of it.”
“I think Ryan Bourque fits into the style of hockey that we play here,” head coach Troy Mann said. “He’s got great speed, plays a real good 200-foot game. I think he’s going to add a lot to our team and the PK as well – he’s one of the best PK guys in the league. I think he’ll be a great addition.”
Brother Chris re-enforced those words from Mann. “He’s a heart and soul player. He gives it his all every shift. I think the fans here are really going to love him. A lot of speed, a really good shot, really good defensively. I think the guys are going to have a lot of fun having him on the team.”
The transition to Chocolate Town has been a positive one so far for the younger of the Bourques, as the Bears locker room has welcomed Ryan with open arms. “The hockey community as a whole is so close, so obviously to have Chris here makes things a lot easier. Anywhere you go you’re going to have great guys. The hockey community is filled with great guys and Hershey is no different. It’s a great team here and they’ve all made it easy on me.”