Rene Bourque

Bourque was born December 10, 1981, and spent his early childhood in Edmonton.{{cite journal |last=Hennessy |first=Kristi |title=Taking Initiative |journal=Blaze Magazine |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2010-11-03 |page=15}} His father, Gary, works in the Canadian oil patch near Fort McMurray, while his mother, Barbara, is a social worker in Lac La Biche.{{cite news |last=Hall |first=Vicki |url=http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=1a0f012d-4a75-4809-9f59-790c19ee0b1a&p=1 |title=Rene always had to start from the bottom |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-02-11 |access-date=2010-12-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820051737/http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=1a0f012d-4a75-4809-9f59-790c19ee0b1a&p=1 |archive-date=August 20, 2012 |df=mdy-all }} Bourque has a fraternal twin sister, Chantal, and two elder sisters, Kim and Nadia, who are also fraternal twins. He is of Métis heritage, and his first cousin, Wayne Bourque, is a three-time North American native boxing champion.{{cite web|url=http://www.fan590.com/onair/barb-wired/media.jsp?content=20090423_141352_9832 |title=Fight night with Wayne Bourque, cousin of Rene Bourque of the Flames! |publisher=Fan590 |date=2009-12-22 |access-date=2009-12-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726062427/http://www.fan590.com/onair/barb-wired/media.jsp?content=20090423_141352_9832 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 }}{{cite web |url=http://woodbuffalosports.com/home/boxing |title=Boxing athletes of note |publisher=Wood Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Society |access-date=2014-11-09|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090907111702/http://woodbuffalosports.com/home/boxing|archive-date = 2009-09-07|url-status = dead}}

The family returned to Lac La Biche when Bourque was seven. As his father was sometimes away from home for weeks at a time due to his job, Bourque's mother raised the kids while also studying for her diploma in social work and later working full-time for the Alberta Government. He grew up in a community with many Metis children.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/visible-presence-in-pros-helps-develop-first-nations-hockey | title = Visible presence in pros helps develop first nations hockey | magazine = The Hockey News | date = 2017-06-04 | access-date = 2017-06-04}} His parents encouraged him in hockey, and after a season of minor hockey in Fort McMurray, he attended the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame south of Regina, Saskatchewan, where he was an honours student. He was recruited to play major junior hockey for the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL), though he declined to join the Blades as it would have cost him his eligibility to play for a National Collegiate Athletic Association school.{{cite web |last=Matheson |first=Jim |title=Bourque knows hockey is a small world |work=Edmonton Journal |date=2009-10-25 }} Bourque felt that his education was paramount, and it wasn't until he had earned a full scholarship to play at the University of Wisconsin–Madison that he believed he could make a career in hockey. At Wisconsin, he earned a degree in Consumer Behaviour and Business.{{cite journal |last=Heinen |first=Laurence |title=Bringing his best: Bourque makes an impact |journal=Blaze Magazine |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2009-10-01 |page=14}}

Instead of the WHL, Bourque opted to play one season of Junior A hockey with the St. Albert Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), retaining his NCAA eligibility. He scored 44 goals and 81 points to finish second in team scoring in 1999–2000. He was named to the AJHL All-Rookie team and finished as a runner-up for the rookie of the year award.{{Cite book |title=2009–10 Calgary Flames Media Guide |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |last=Hanlon |first=Peter |last2=Kelso |first2=Sean |url=http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=40390 |format=PDF |year=2009 |page=34 |access-date=2011-01-04}} In spite of this, he went undrafted by any National Hockey League (NHL) team.

Bourque then moved onto the college game, playing four seasons with the Wisconsin Badgers. He led the Badgers in goals (19) and points (27) as a junior in 2002–03 and was named the team's most valuable player.{{cite web |url=http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/041903aaa.html |title=Badger hockey team hands out awards |publisher=University of Wisconsin |date=2003-04-19 |access-date=2011-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622032234/http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/041903aaa.html |archive-date=June 22, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} He again led the Badgers in scoring with 16 goals and 34 points in 2003–04 as Wisconsin reached the regional final of the 2004 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. He was named the recipient of the Ivan B. Williamson Scholastic Award as the team's scholastic player of the year.{{cite web |url=http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/050104aaa.html |title=Team Awards Doled Out at Mens Hockey Banquet |publisher=University of Wisconsin |date=2004-05-10 |access-date=2011-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622032241/http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/050104aaa.html |archive-date=June 22, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} He served as a tri-captain of the team in his final year and reached a double-digit goal total in each of his four seasons with the Badgers.{{cite web |url=http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/073004aaa.html |title=Bourque signs with Blackhawks |publisher=University of Wisconsin |date=2004-07-30 |access-date=2011-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622032246/http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/073004aaa.html |archive-date=June 22, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}

Following his graduation, on July 29, 2004, Bourque signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1848480&type=story |title=Blackhawks re-sign Poapst, Robidas |publisher=ESPN |date=2004-07-29 |access-date=2009-12-20}} He was assigned to the Hawks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, for the 2004–05 season. He scored a franchise record 33 goals for the Admirals, also leading the team with 60 points, and was named the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award winner as the AHL's rookie of the year.{{cite web |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=VP&p_theme=vp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=109849E41E49F3EE&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Bourque is AHL rookie of the year |work=Virginian Pilot |date=2005-04-14 |access-date=2009-12-20 |page=C5}} Additionally, he made the All-Rookie Team and played for Team Canada at the 2005 AHL All-Star Game where he won the hardest shot competition.

Bourque joined the Blackhawks to start the 2005–06 season, and scored his first NHL goal against goaltender Jean-Sébastien Giguère in his first game, a 5–3 loss to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.{{cite web |last=Foltman |first=Bob |url=http://www.dailypress.com/topic/cs-051005hawksgamer,0,6892617.story |title=Hawks, Khabibulin fall flat in debut |work=Chicago Tribune |date=2005-10-06 |access-date=2009-12-20}} He finished his rookie season with 16 goals and 34 points,{{cite web |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=21558 |title=Rene Bourque player profile |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=2009-12-20}} good for fourth place in team scoring. The Hawks subsequently signed Bourque to a two-year contract extension.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=2517979&type=story |title=Blackhawks re-sign Bourque to two-year deal |publisher=ESPN |date=2006-07-13 |access-date=2009-12-20}} He endured an injury-plagued season in 2006–07, appearing in only 44 games and scoring 7 goals. He was rushed to hospital during a November 12, 2006, game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after suffering a deep cut to the neck from Nikolai Zherdev's skate during a scrum in the crease.{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=261112004 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714195231/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=261112004 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |title=Boucher stops 28 shots for his first Blackhawks shutout |publisher=ESPN |date=2006-11-12 |access-date=2009-12-20}} The Blackhawks announced that he would miss 3–6 weeks following surgery to repair the laceration.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2660283 |title=Blackhawks' Bourque out 3–6 weeks after neck surgery |publisher=ESPN |date=2006-11-13 |access-date=2009-12-20}} Bourque considered himself fortunate that the injury was not worse, stating upon his return to action four weeks later that he might not have survived if the cut was a couple of millimetres deeper.{{cite news |last=Sassone |first=Tim |title=Bourque eager to get back in lineup |work=Arlington Heights Daily Herald |date=2006-12-14}}

Just over two weeks after his return, Bourque was again sidelined when he suffered a cracked bone in his ankle on December 31, 2006.{{cite news |last=Foltman |first=Bob |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158509280.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105072029/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-158509280.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-05 |title=Arkhipov lifts Blackhawks past Flames |work=Chicago Tribune |date=2007-01-28 |access-date=2009-12-20}} He returned to action on February 21, 2007, after missing nearly two months.{{cite news |last=Foltman |first=Bob |title=Injury-plagued Bourque set to return |work=Chicago Tribune |date=2007-02-21 |page=S6}} Injuries again hampered Bourque in 2007–08. He missed time early in the season with a groin pull,{{cite news |last=Sassone |first=Tim |title=Savard hopeful on Havlat's return |work=Arlington Heights Daily Herald |date=2007-10-16}} then was knocked out of the line-up for a month after breaking his thumb in a November game against the Detroit Red Wings.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/blackhawks-bourque-to-miss-month-with-broken-thumb-1.677313 |title=Blackhawks' Bourque to miss month with broken thumb |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2007-11-18 |access-date=2009-12-20}} He remained healthy upon his return, finishing the season with 10 goals and 14 assists in 62 games for Chicago.

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On July 1, 2008, Bourque was traded to the Calgary Flames in exchange for a second round selection at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/flames-pick-up-rene-bourque-1.729609 |title=Flames pick up Rene Bourque |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2008-07-01 |access-date=2009-12-20}} The Flames quickly signed the restricted free agent to a two-year contract.{{cite web |last=Cruickshank |first=Scott |url=http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/nhlnews/story.html?id=23be4198-10b4-487a-872f-c20145b49a3a&add_feed_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Ftopstories.atom |title=Swift signing surprises Bourque |work=Calgary Herald |date=2008-07-05 |access-date=2009-12-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724082539/http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/nhlnews/story.html?id=23be4198-10b4-487a-872f-c20145b49a3a&add_feed_url=http:%2F%2Fwww.faceoff.com%2Ftopstories.atom |archive-date=July 24, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} He enjoyed a career year in Calgary that included his first hat trick, against the Ottawa Senators, on December 27, 2008.{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Roger |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=401313 |title=Bourque putting up big numbers |publisher=National Hockey League |date=2009-01-02 |access-date=2009-12-21}} He suffered a high ankle sprain that sidelined him for the final two months of the regular season.{{cite web |last=Kimberley |first=Todd |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=419600 |title=Jokinen looking for wins, not goals |publisher=National Hockey League |date=2009-04-22 |access-date=2009-12-21}} Although he was limited to 58 games, he topped the 20-goal plateau for the first time (21) and scored a career high 40 points. He returned in time to play in the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Blackhawks, though he missed one game in the series after re-aggravating the injury.{{cite web |url=http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290425004 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710145223/http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290425004 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |title=Blackhawks strike early to push Flames to brink of elimination |publisher=ESPN |date=2009-04-25 |access-date=2011-01-04}} Following the season, he opted for surgery to repair the damage to his ankle.{{cite web |last=Cruickshank |first=Scott |title=Bourque moves step closer to return to Flames |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-09-17 }}

Bourque continued to provide offence for the Flames early in 2009–10; he was leading the Flames in scoring in late November when he was again knocked out of the line-up by an undisclosed injury.{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Vicki |title=Injured Bourque stays home |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-11-21}} He returned to action after two weeks, having missed six games.{{cite web |last=Cruickshank |first=Scott |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/Bourque+confident+click+line/2297573/story.html |title=Bourque confident he will click on top line |work=Calgary Herald |date=2009-12-03 |access-date=2009-12-21}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} Bourque remained an offensive catalyst throughout the season, amassing a new career high in goals (27), assists (31) and points (58), and a +7 rating.

Signing him to a six-year contract extension worth $3.3 million per season in February 2010,{{cite web |url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=311479 |title=Flames sign Bourque to a six-year deal |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2010-02-25 |access-date=2010-02-25}} the Flames looked to Bourque to be a top player for the organization. Though prone to inconsistent play, he was considered one of the Flames' top offensive threats, and a player looked at as potentially succeeding captain Jarome Iginla as the team's scoring leader.{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Vicki |url=http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/calgary-flames/Flames+need+some+steady+heat+from+Bourque/3839209/story.html |title=Flames need some steady heat from Bourque |work=Calgary Herald |date=2010-11-17 |access-date=2011-01-04 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He played in the 2011 Heritage Classic, scoring two goals in a 4–0 win over the Montreal Canadiens,{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore?gameId=310220003 |title=Montreal Canadiens 0, Calgary Flames 4 |publisher=ESPN |date=2011-02-20 |access-date=2012-01-13}} and finished the season second on the team with 27 goals.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/team/stats/_/name/cgy/year/2011/calgary-flames |title=Calgary Flames 2010–11 statistics |publisher=ESPN |access-date=2012-01-13}}

Bourque was a frequent lightning rod for attention in 2011–12. Following a slow start to his season offensively, Bourque was criticized on national television by Hockey Night in Canada commentator Kelly Hrudey, who questioned the player's dedication and suggested Bourque didn't care about the game. Bourque expressed his offence at Hrudey's comments, while his teammates spoke out in his defence.{{cite news |last=Cruickshank |first=Scott |url=https://calgaryherald.com/sports/Flames+Bourque+bristles+Hrudey+criticism/5709964/story.html |title=Flames' Bourque bristles at Hrudey's criticism |work=Calgary Herald |date=2011-11-14 |access-date=2012-01-13}} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}} He was then suspended twice within a month for illegal hits. Borque received a two-game ban on December 19, 2011, for a check from behind against Chicago's Brent Seabrook,{{cite news |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=383088 |title=Flames' Bourque suspended two games for hit on Seabrook |publisher=The Sports Network |date=2011-12-19 |access-date=2012-01-13}} and then earned a five-game suspension on January 4, 2012, for an elbow to the head of Washington's Nicklas Bäckström.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/flames-bourque-suspended-5-games-1.1178435 |title=Flames' Bourque suspended 5 games |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2012-01-05 |access-date=2012-01-13}} It was the last game he played with the Flames.

Bourque was sent to Montreal with prospect Patrick Holland and a second round draft pick on January 12 in exchange for Michael Cammalleri, Karri Rämö and a fifth round draft pick.{{cite news |last=MacFarlane |first=Steve |title=Cammy whammy |work=Calgary Sun |date=2012-01-13 |page=S2}}

Combined between Calgary and Montreal, Bourque's 18 goals and 24 points were his lowest totals in four seasons. His start to the 2012–13 season was delayed by injury. Bourque suffered an abdominal wall tear during off-season training that required surgery to repair.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/habs-rene-bourque-out-8-12-weeks-after-abdominal-surgery-1.1199349 |title=Habs' Rene Bourque out 8-12 weeks after abdominal surgery |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=2012-08-29 |access-date=2012-09-03|agency = The Canadian Press}}

On November 9, 2014, goalless and 13 games into the 2014–15 season, Bourque was placed on waivers by the Canadiens{{Cite news|url = https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/goalless-rene-bourque-placed-on-waivers-by-canadiens-004046515.html|title = Goalless Rene Bourque placed on waivers by Canadiens|last = Leahy|first = Sean|date = November 9, 2014|work = Yahoo! Sports|access-date = November 9, 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141110011408/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/goalless-rene-bourque-placed-on-waivers-by-canadiens-004046515.html|archive-date = November 10, 2014|url-status = live}} after recording 2 assists and a -9. This was the first season of his NHL career where he didn't score a goal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/player/rene-bourque-8471504|title=Rene Bourque Stats and News|website=NHL.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-26}} After clearing waivers on November 10, 2014, Bourque was subsequently sent to Montreal's AHL team, the Hamilton Bulldogs.{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/canadiens-f-bourque-clears-waivers-sent-down-to-minors-1.130140 | title = Canadiens Bourque clears waivers, sent down to minors | publisher = The Sports Network | date = 2014-11-10 | access-date = 2014-11-10}}

Bourque's tenure with the Canadiens came to an end when he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Bryan Allen on November 20, 2014.{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/canadiens-acquire-d-allen-in-exchange-for-f-bourque-1.140312 | title = Canadiens acquire Allen in exchange for Bourque | publisher = The Sports Network | date = 2014-11-20 | access-date = 2014-11-20}} Bourque featured in 30 games with the high-flying Ducks, but struggled to regain his scoring touch in producing just 2 goals.

After clearing waivers upon the trade deadline, Bourque was included in his second trade for the season along with William Karlsson and 2nd-round pick in 2015 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for James Wisniewski and a third-round selection in 2015. Bourque was then immediately assigned to AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons on March 2, 2015. Before appearing with the Falcons, Bourque was recalled to the Blue Jackets as a replacement for injury.{{cite web| url = http://bluejackets.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=756136 | title = Blue Jackets acquire William Karlsson, Rene Bourque and pick for James Wisniewski | publisher = Columbus Blue Jackets | date = 2015-03-02 | access-date = 2015-03-02}}

At the conclusion of his long-term contract after the 2015–16 season with the Blue Jackets, Bourque went through the off-season as a free agent before agreeing to a professional try-out offer to join the Colorado Avalanche training camp on August 25, 2016.{{cite web| url = http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/08/25/report-avalanche-will-bring-rene-bourque-in-for-a-pto/ | title = Avalanche bring Rene Bourque in for a PTO | date = 2016-08-25 | access-date = 2016-08-25 | publisher = NBC Sports }} After a successful training camp and pre-season Bourque solidified his position on the roster and extended his NHL career in signing a one-year, one-way deal for the 2016–17 season on October 10, 2016.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/avs-sign-gabriel-rene-bourque/c-282529754 | title = Avalanche signs Gabriel and Rene Bourque | publisher = Colorado Avalanche | date = 2016-10-10 | access-date = 2016-10-10}} Bourque experienced a productive start to his Avalanche career, scoring 8 goals in his first 19 games. Bourque later cooled off offensively with the decline of the Avalanche over the course of the season, he still however, finished with a respectable rebound year in compiling 12 goals and 18 points in 65 games.

On August 29, 2017, it was announced the Bourque had signed a one-year contract with Djurgårdens IF Hockey of the Swedish Hockey League.{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/former-hab-flame-bourque-signs-in-sweden-1.841826 | title = Former Hab, Flame Bourque signs in Sweden | publisher = The Sports Network | date = 2017-08-29 | access-date = 2017-08-29}} At 35 years old, Bourque finished his NHL career after recording 163 goals and 153 assists in 725 games with the Blackhawks, Flames, Canadiens, Ducks, Blue Jackets and Avalanche.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/players/playerpage/566090/rene-bourque|title=Rene Bourque|work=CBSSports.com|access-date=2018-03-26|language=en}} In the 2017–18 season, Bourque found early success on Djurgården scoring line recording 13 goals and 22 points in 35 games. After his absence from the team due to his participation at the Olympics, Bourque was later ruled out for the remainder of the season due to the health of his son. He announced that this would be the final season of his professional career.{{cite web| url = https://www.difhockey.se/artikel/2jgjajf9o-1lead/rene-med-sonen-i-usa-siktar-pa-att-komma-tillbaka | title = Rene with son back in United States | publisher = Djurgårdens IF Hockey | date = 2018-03-28 | access-date = 2018-03-29 | language = sv}}

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Following the 2009–10 season, Bourque was invited to make his international debut and play for Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship. He scored one goal and one assist in seven games for the seventh-place Canadians.{{cite web |url=https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/230/IHM2300CAN_83_9_0.pdf |title=Player statistics by team – Canada |date=2010-05-21 |access-date=2010-12-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610144933/http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/230/IHM2300CAN_83_9_0.pdf |archive-date=June 10, 2012 |work=IIHF |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|title=Tournament Progress|url=https://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/230/IHM2309900_76_10_0.pdf|access-date=2010-01-05|work=IIHF|date=2010-05-23}}

During the 2017–18 season, Bourque was selected to represent Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Used in an offensive role, he contributed with 3 goals and 4 points in 6 games to help Canada claim the Bronze medal.

Bourque has been involved in many charitable endeavours both in Calgary and Lac La Biche. He says this lifestyle was tough growing up, which is why he started the Bourque Buddies charity to help Metis children have something to look forward to and work towards. “You see the effects of stuff that goes on in small towns or even in reserves and it’s a tough life for a lot of those kids,” Bourque says. He started the Rene Bourque Hockey Fund with the goal of providing hockey equipment to underprivileged kids, and has appeared as a spokesman for Native Americans in sport at youth symposiums.{{cite web |url=http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=40342 |title=Player programs and initiatives |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |access-date=2009-12-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121223953/http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=40342 |archive-date=January 21, 2011 |df=mdy }} His fund led to the donation of 50 sets of equipment to underprivileged children in Northern Alberta during the 2008–09 season,{{cite web |url=http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=497456 |title=Bringing hockey home |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |date=2009-01-09 |access-date=2010-12-15}} and over 100 sets in 2010–11.{{cite web |url=http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=40342 |title=Player programs and initiatives |publisher=Calgary Flames Hockey Club |access-date=2010-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121223953/http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=40342 |archive-date=January 21, 2011 |df=mdy }} Also in 2010–11, he started a program called "Bourque's Buddies" that rewards kids from the Tsuu T'ina Nation who have made positive contributions in their schools with tickets to Flames games.

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Category:1981 births

Category:Anaheim Ducks players

Category:Calgary Flames players

Category:Canadian ice hockey left wingers

Category:Canadian Métis people

Category:Colorado Avalanche players

Category:Columbus Blue Jackets players

Category:Chicago Blackhawks players

Category:Djurgårdens IF (men's hockey) players

Category:Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) players

Category:Ice hockey people from Alberta

Category:Living people

Category:Métis sportspeople

Category:Montreal Canadiens players

Category:Norfolk Admirals players

Category:Olympic ice hockey players for Canada

Category:Ice hockey players at the 2018 Winter Olympics

Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Canada

Category:Medalists at the 2018 Winter Olympics

Category:Olympic medalists in ice hockey

Category:St. Albert Saints players

Category:Undrafted National Hockey League players

Category:Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey players

Category:Athol Murray College of Notre Dame alumni

Category:People from Lac La Biche County

Category:Canadian twins

Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Sweden

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Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen