The transition from junior hockey to the professional level hasn’t exactly been smooth for Mavrik Bourque, the prospective Dallas Stars forward.
• Also read: Mavrik Bourque is missing from Junior Team Canada and is ready to make any sacrifices
To say the 20-year-old Quebecer had an eventful 2022 would probably be an understatement.
The former Shawinigan Cataractes captain first had to deal with a series of injuries that forced him to miss almost half of his team’s games last season.
He then led the “Cats” to capture the first President’s Cup in 53 years before their journey came to an end in the Memorial Cup semifinals on June 27 after a loss to the Ontario champions, the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Back at home the dust settled and so did the adrenaline.
“Right after the Memorial Cup I got sick. I got a sinus infection and didn’t move from my couch for two weeks. After that, people told me maybe I should take a break, but as a competitor I wanted to finish up at Stars Camp. I had to find the balance between my training and not arriving too tired.
“Last year I said to myself, no matter what happens, my junior team is waiting for me. This year I didn’t really know how to deal with it. I had to mourn the junior and my season wasn’t always rosy either. In two months of training, I questioned myself a lot and felt like I wasn’t ready yet. »
Not at his best
On a physical level, the result was satisfactory. However, the brief offseason and roller coaster ride of emotions he’d been going through over the past few months meant Bourque didn’t feel like he’d show up at an NHL camp at his best.
“The stars have told me they’re happy with my game. However, I know what I’m capable of and I knew I wasn’t at my best. I’m smart enough to know that it’s kind of my business going around and I was expecting to be cut off. I took it right.”
Dallas’ 2020 first-round pick therefore switched to the Texas Stars in the American League.
“I’ve been able to train and practice more since the start of the season. I feel better and better. »
In 10 games he collected three points, including one goal.
“Do I want to score more? yes it is safe On the other hand, I’m playing right. I’m improving game by game and that’s important if I ever want to play in the NHL. »
first line
His progress is such that Bourque was primarily reunited with veterans Tanner Kero and Riley Barber, speaking to Le Journal on Friday. Additionally deployed on the second power play wave, he spends about 14 to 15 minutes per game on the ice.
A change from the 25 minutes he ate game after game in Shawinigan.
“Last year, with the ice age I had, I knew if I didn’t touch the puck on my first appearance it would come quickly. Sometimes we start the game there and take a penalty, so it takes longer for me to get back on the ice. It’s a transition, but that’s the way it is with the pros. When I get to the NHL it will be the same. »
However, confident in his abilities, Bourque strives for higher things.
“What I want is to be the player who creates things on the ice like I was at junior level. »