For the first time in his career, Hershey Bears forward Chris Bourque has been named American Hockey League most valuable player.
Bourque, 30, adds the Les Cunningham Award to his trophy case, which includes three Calder Cups, one Jack Butterfield Award for Calder Cup MVP, four AHL All-Star game appearances, and three AHL First-Team All-Star honors.
This may be the best giveaway the Hershey Bears will ever have. Saturday night will be Chris Bourque Garden Gnome night. Next to the Buck Showalter Garden Gnome, this is the greatest garden gnome we’ve ever seen.
“I mean I didn’t design it that’s for sure,” said Chris Bourque about it. “But it’s alright.”
Ryan Bourque skates in his first practice with the Hershey Bears (Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
For the first time since the end of the 2015 season, Chris and Ryan Bourque will be sporting the uniform as the younger Ryan joins the Hershey Bears.
“Obviously thrilled,” Chris said about the opportunity to play with Ryan again. “I got the chance to play with him last year. That was a first for us, we enjoyed it. It’s great to spend time with family. You don’t get to see each other too much when you are playing on opposite teams. To have him here is great for myself, him, and the family too.”
“I was a little shocked but most of all I was just really excited,” Ryan said about coming to Hershey. “I know I played with my brother last year, but to be able to come to the place where he started in the league and where he’s made his home is really special. The guys here have been great and I can’t wait to get started.”
Photo via: @cbourque17
Monday night, the first-ever AHL All-Star Challenge took place in Syracuse, New York, as all four AHL divisions took each other on in a seven-game round robin tournament. In addition to this new event, we now are able to gif live video. So let’s dive on into the 2016 AHL All-Star Challenge gif recap!
Photo via: @cbourque17
One day before the AHL All-Star Challenge, the annual skills challenge took place in Syracuse, NY, featuring Bears forward Chris Bourque and defenseman Connor Carrick. Both took place in multiple events in the Easten Conference’s loss to the West, 19-14.
Another big moment tonight: I finally learned how to live gif. So for the first time ever, we bring you a gif recap!
Only twelve people in 78 seasons have accomplished such a feat. Saturday night Chris Bourque joined the ranks of Willie Marshall, Mitch Lamoureux, and Ralph Keller as he scored his 400th point as a Hershey Bear with an assist on Paul Carey’s goal in the third period.
HERSHEY, PA – Chris Bourque celebrates his game winning goal in overtime against Hartford on Saturday night.(Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey)
The last time Chris Bourque wore the Bears sweater in Giant Center was 1,275 days ago, playing in game 4 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs in 2012. He scored an empty net goal in Hershey’s win that game.
Saturday night during Hershey Bears opening night, Bears President and General Manager Doug Yingst announced his retirement from the team at the end of the season. There was an audible gasp from the crowd in attendance at Giant Center, and lots of reaction online and offline from those who know Doug.
We are one day away from the season opener for the Hershey Bears, so we thought it would be good to give all of you guys something fun. With emojis being the latest craze in social media, we decided to get in on the fun and make some Bears emojis!
Illustration by Kyle Mace
Along with the Hershey Bears opening night roster, Thursday morning the club announced forward Garrett Mitchell was named team captain. “Mitchy” will be the 43rd captain in team history, joining the ranks of guys like Boyd Kane and Bryan Helmer.