Chris Bourque the Anti-Player
J. OzVath | Nov 19, 2009 | Comments 7
If you have watched a Penguins game while looking at the #pens hashtag on Twitter lately, you may have noticed that finding a Pens fan who has a kind thing to say about Chris Bourque is the same as hard as finding one who things Kris Draper had a point about handshakes or some nonsense. People don’t like Chris Bourque. There are some colorful nicknames out there for him, and you don’t really have to look that far. Joque, Radio, Jerk Store rank among the fan favorites (of those that can really be repeated).
I tried to be optimistic at first at the insistence of a few people and called him NewOneTwo (in homage to the OldTwoNiner Phil Bourque). However even since his golden opportunity miss against the New Jersey Devils a week ago, the bash train has crested the top of the mountain and is barreling full speed down towards the ravine at the bottom, and the bridge is out. It didn’t get any better when he missed half of an empty net high in one of the worst clear shots I’ve seen a forward take in some time.
Picture Courtesy of The Pensblog
He’s bad. There is no getting around it. I think some of the animosity stems from his dad. Given his apparent lack of talent and waiver clearing abilities, many people surmise that his dad, Ray Bourque, got him the gig. There has been no love loss between Pittsburgh and Boston ever since Ulf Samuelsson ended Cam Neely’s career with pretty much one hit. FSN-Pittsburgh has been giving Bourque a good amount of coverage with more than one intermission special and a lot of mentions for otherwise mediocre play.
I think the more compelling problem is that he has gotten consistent ice time with the 2nd PP unit and on the second line in lieu of players like Mike Rupp who have been putting pucks in. Bourque has just 2As and is a -3 in 13 games played. He slaps at the puck with his head down and just makes bad decisions. His lack of talent combined with the nepotism rumors have turned most Pens fans sour to him. The legendary Pensblog has refused to post a traditional Post-Game until Bourque scores a goal, is traded, demoted (and clears waivers on his 1-way) or otherwise is not a part of the organization. A lot of people listen when a statement like that is made, and especially so when the majority of the fan bloggers are in lock step on this.
I am one of them. Bourque has worn out his welcome.
SLBD
Filed Under: Pittsburgh Penguins
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ozman51, Ozman51. Ozman51 said: My new Article on Jerk Store, the non flattering kind at Hockey Independent: http://bit.ly/1uqNab #pens [...]
Well the team certainly laid an egg up in Ottawa!
Whatev. One game. I’m already looking ahead to thrashing the Thrashers on Saturday.
It’s weird. With the heavy criticism thepensblog is laying on Bourque, it does make me notice how he doesn’t quite fit in on the Penguins. If it weren’t for his one-way contract, I suspect he’d be in WBS in a flash. I’d rather have a speedy winger like Conner up in Pitt than Bourque (-2 tonight … but there were a lot of -2s tonight). Even someone like Letestu, I wish they had kept him up longer to see what he could do, but with Talbot coming back and the contract end of things, I guess Bourque is nailed to a roster spot for now.
I think as soon as TK, and Kunitz are back in the lineup Bourque is likely waiver wire bound. Shero probably hoped he would play well enough to be trade bait but instead he will probably clear waivers and hit the AHL.
I’ll have more on the game in the morning, draft is scheduled for 6am CST.
He only lasted a year at BU (I was there at the same time) because he decided he didn’t want to go to class anymore. He scored a big goal to win us the Beanpot, but overall he was a selfish player who would dipsy-doodle around the ice until he was open for a shot instead of involving his teammates. Even with his considerable skill, you can’t play his prima-donna style at the NHL level when you’re his size and not a prolific skater.
He’s been a whole lot more promise than delivery for practically his whole career.
[...] doesn’t suffer the curse of wearing the “A”. Additionally, Chris Bourque (aka Jerk-Store) evidently is having problems making friends with the existing Pens and has resorted to trying to [...]
@Nick Thanks for the insight man, appreciated.
Yups, this is a problem that most people today face.Thanks for your great post.