Rene Bourque

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Position	Left Wing
Shoots	Left
Height Weight	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 213 lb (97 kg)
NHL Team	Chicago Blackhawks
Nationality	Canada
Born	December 10, 1981, Lac la Biche, AB, CAN
Pro Career	2004 – present

Rene Bourque (b. December 10, 1981 in Lac la Biche, Alberta) is a professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL. He played junior hockey with the St. Albert Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, where he made the All-Rookie team, and played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin.

Bourque played for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League in 2004-05, the season of the NHL lockout. Bourque set a franchise record for most goals scored, with 33, and also led the team with 27 assists and 60 points. He played for the Canadian team in the AHL All-Star Classic on February 9, 2005, and won the hardest shot contest at the AHL All-Star Skills Competition with a slapshot measured at 99.8 mph. Bourque was named to the 2005 AHL All-Rookie Team, and won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding rookie. Bourque was never drafted in the NHL Entry Draftand he was signed by Chicago on July 29, 2004.

On November 12th, 2006 in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Rene left the game late in the second period after being accidentally cut in the neck by Columbus' right wing Nikolai Zherdev's skate blade during a pileup in the Blackhawks' crease. Bourque was listed in stable condition when he was taken, on a stretcher, to The University of Chicago Hospital. The next day, it was announced, Bourque would be expected to miss three to six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair the deep laceration to his neck.

In an interview on dailysouthtown.com, it was revealed that the blade had cut through a neck muscle and gouged Bourque's jugular vein, coming very close to ending the life of the 2-year veteran.

Bourque is known for being very friendly and grateful to his fan base, taking time at practices to sign autographs. Recently, during his time off due to injury while in the press box watching a game he was kind enough to sign the jersey of girl in the stands.

As of December 11, 2006, Rene continues to recover and has been seen in practice sessions with his Chicago teammates. Rene returned to action on December 12, 2006.

December 22, 2006 Bourque blocked a shot in a game against Toronto and continued to play in spite of a deep ankle bruise. After the swelling subsided it was discovered that Bourque had a slight crack in his ankle. He has not played in a game since December 31st at Columbus.

On January 22, 2007 Blackhawks General Manager Dale Tallon announced that the Chicago Blackhawks have assigned Rene to the Norfolk Admirals on a conditioning loan. Bourque was called up shortly afterwards for the Hawks Annual feb road trip. He is currently on injured reserve and has not yet returned to play.

Bourque has appeared in 24 games for the Blackhawks this season and has four goals and eight points with 20 penalty minutes.

[edit] Career statistics

			Regular Season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1999-00	St. Albert Saints	AJHL	63	44	41	85	113	--	--	--	--	--
2000-01	Wisconsin Badgers	WCHA	32	10	5	15	18	--	--	--	--	--
2001-02	Wisconsin Badgers	WCHA	38	12	7	19	26	--	--	--	--	--
2002-03	Wisconsin Badgers	WCHA	40	19	8	27	54	--	--	--	--	--
2003-04	Wisconsin Badgers	WCHA	42	16	20	36	74	--	--	--	--	--
2004-05	Norfolk Admirals	AHL	78	33	27	60	105	6	1	0	1	8
2005-06	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL	77	16	18	34	56	--	--	--	--	--
NHL Totals			77	16	18	34	56	--	--	--	--	--