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Chris Bourque on Bruins: “They could have had me for free”

Nashville Predators v Washington Capitals

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 20: Chris Bourque #56 of the Washington Capitals skates against the Nashville Predators at the 1st Mariner Arena on September 20, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Predators defeated the Capitals 2-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Growing up as Ray Bourque’s son probably created quite a burden for Chris Bourque. Still, he also had the chance to watch the likes of Cam Neely and his father up close and personal growing up near Boston, so it’s not shocking that he told CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty that he’s thrilled to play for the Bruins.

“They could have had me for free. I was going to be unrestricted and if they put up any kind of offer they were going to have the big edge with me being able to play in front of all my friends and family. It would have been intriguing to me no matter what,” Bourque said. “There’s a lot of history here between my family and the Bruins, obviously. I grew up idolizing Cam Neely, Adam Oates and my dad…to get to see them up close at the rink every day as a kid [was special]. Now with what the Bruins have meant to the city over the last few years; it seems like it would be so much fun to be a part of.”

Of course, as a player who bounces between the NHL and minors, there’s no guarantee that B’s fans will see much of the next generation Bourque. The 26-year-old forward said that he’s been told that he’ll have a shot to make the pro-level team and Bourque will do whatever he can to stick with the Bruins.

“That’s all I’ve ever asked for. It’s up to me to do the rest and bring some energy to the team. I’m known as more of a playmaker, but I’ll play any kind of role that they need me to,” Bourque said. “Whether it’s on the power play or the penalty kill I’m just hoping they give me the chance to show I can do ... I’d play defense or goalie if it gets me into the NHL with a full-time job.”

GM Peter Chiarelli certainly didn’t provide guarantees, but he backed up Bourque’s claims that he’ll have a chance.

“I think he’s got a good chance of making our team,” Chiarelli said. “He does have the ability to shoot to find seams, but he also has a great element to his game where that if he has to play lower down the line he can do that. I told him, among other things, that he’ll need like another quarter step to maintain it at this level. If he gets that – and I think he will -- he’s another guy who’s relatively young, and that he’ll be able to play at this level on a regular basis.”

If so, it’ll probably be a treat for the Bourques and Bruins fans - even if Chris isn’t the kind of player you’d throw a parade for.