Scouting profile from Hockey Prospect
Bourque was drafted by the Oceanic in the 2nd round of the 2013 QMJHL draft and made a good impact with the team last year, as he played big minutes in the 2nd half of the season. Again this year, Bourque played a big role with the team, playing in a top-4 role, being used in all situations and wearing an A on his jersey. Bourque is a player who plays with a lot of heart and works extremely hard on the ice. He has a very good compete level even if he lacks ideal size for a defenseman. He’s a capable puck mover; he’s able to play on the power play and makes smart decisions with the puck. On the power play he played more the role of the playmaker, he likes to set up his teammates on the man-advantage instead of being the shooter from the point.He’s more of a complimentary player on the man-advantage at this point in his development. He has a good, accurate shot from the point, but his velocity could see an improvement. Defensively he’s reliable, with above-average mobility and an ability to keep up with the best forwards in the league. He’s capable of playing physical in his own zone but relies more on his smarts and a good active stick to counter those top forwards. He’s consistent from game to game, rarely having a bad one, and always bounces back after a bad shift or game. It wouldn’t surprise us to see him wear the C as soon as next season with the Oceanic, as the management and coaching staff are really high on him. Bourque doesn’t have any great qualities and lacks the ideal size for a defensive NHL defenseman and that could cost him a chance to go in the first three rounds of the NHL draft, a mid-round pick for us.Quotable: “Bourque is a player who does everything well on the ice but lacks a high end qualities, I love his compete level and has reminded me since his midget days of former Habs defenseman Josh Gorges.” – HP scout Jérôme Bérubé
