Three members of the Boston Bruins family, two alumni and a promising prospect, will be representing their respective countries at the Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Representing Team USA is none other than Chris Bourque, the son of Bruins’ legend and Hall of Famer Ray Bourque. Bourque followed in his father’s footstep and donned the black and gold during the 2012-13 campaign. Bourque played 18 games, recorded one goal and three assists with the Bruins.
In 38 games played with the AHL’s Hershey Bears this season, the soon-to-be 32-year-old left wing has recorded 40 points (11 goals, 29 assists), and once again leads the Bears in scoring.
A former second-round draft pick of the Washington Capitals, Bourque has become arguably one of the best players in Hershey Bears’ history during his two stints with the team. In 572 games with the Bears, Bourque has scored 192 goals and recorded 378 assists for 570 points.
“This is obviously an unbelievable honor for myself and my family,” Bourque said in a press release by the Bears. “It’s one of the biggest moments in not only my hockey career but in my life. Playing in the Olympics — I don’t even know if it’s something you really dream about because it’s so far-fetched growing up as a kid, so to have the opportunity is something that I can’t even describe. It’s an honor to represent Team USA.”
Next on the list is 2016 second round pick Ryan Donato, who will play for Team USA at the upcoming Olympics.
Donato was part of the bronze-medal winning U.S. National Junior Team that competed in the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland. The Scituate, Massachusetts native collected four points in seven games (1 goal, 3 assists) at the tournament.
The 21-year-old is a junior at Harvard University, where he has 12 goals and 20 points in 12 games. This call-up allows Donato to follow in the footsteps of his father, Ted Donato, who played for Team USA in 1992 before playing 528 games for the Bruins.
Donato took to Instagram to voice his gratitude saying, “A true honor to be selected to represent Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics. Can’t wait to wear the Red, White, and Blue!”
The final Bruins family member heading to the Olympics is veteran Chris Kelly.
Kelly played under Claude Julien from 2010-2016, helping the Bruins end the 39 year Stanley Cup drought in 2011. During his tenure in Boston, he was an integral part of the Bruins penalty kill and centered the third line.
After helping Canada win a Spengler Cup in Switzerland over the holidays, Belleville Senators forward Kelly was named to the 25 man roster Team Canada roster. Kelly, who was signed to his second pro tryout with Belleville after the Spengler Cup, has amassed a career total 289 points in 833 NHL games.
Kelly said playing in the Olympics “wasn’t even on the radar two months ago” but is honored to have been selected to represent his country. Kelly spoke in a phone interview with Postmedia after his selection and expressed his excitement.
“I remember in 1994 watching Paul Kariya and Petr Nedved,” Kelly said.
“You’re glued to the TV when Canada is playing, regardless of the event. When a Canadian team or a Canadian athlete is competing, you’re always cheering them on.”
