Rene Bourque

Rene Bourque
Bourque with the Montreal Canadiens in 2012
Born	(1981-12-10) December 10, 1981 (age 42) Lac La Biche, Alberta, Canada[1]
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	217 lb (98 kg; 15 st 7 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Left
Played for	Chicago Blackhawks Calgary Flames Montreal Canadiens Anaheim Ducks Columbus Blue Jackets Colorado Avalanche Djurgårdens IF
National team	Canada
NHL draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2004–2018

Rene Gary Wayne Bourque (born December 10, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). An undrafted player, Bourque was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent in 2004 and made his NHL debut in 2005–06. He spent three years in Chicago before a 2008 trade sent him to the Calgary Flames where he established himself as a key offensive player. He was traded to the Montreal Canadiens before stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche.

Bourque is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where he played four seasons of hockey and served as a co-captain in his senior year. He turned professional in 2004 when he joined the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL). He won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the league's rookie of the year in 2004–05 before beginning his NHL career. Bourque has played for the Canadian national team at the 2010 IIHF World Championship and the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Of Métis heritage, Bourque has initiated several charitable causes dedicated to encouraging aboriginal children and helping youth from rural Northern Alberta afford the cost of playing hockey. His efforts have led to a major increase in sport participation with aboriginal children.^[2]