Gabriel Bourque has four small children at home. He has no plans to play the father of the family for the Laval Rocket, he would rather be the big brother.
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“It’s not the same job,” the man who was named team captain Monday said with a laugh.
The 33-year-old veteran held this role at the end of last season when Alex Belzile was recalled by the Canadian.
With 413 NHL games played with the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets, Bourque has what it takes to lead a very young team.
Good model
“He has an American League contract and will therefore be here in Laval. He’s a very good leader, the type who invites people to his house for dinner. “He invited the recruits to do their laundry this week because they have been in the hotel for two months,” Jean-François Houle boastfully explained his decision.
Bourque knows he will be the one young people will turn to in the most difficult times.
“The team is even younger than last year. There is a lot of talent here, but the boys have to be patient. All the little boys who are here want to get into the National League, they are willing to learn and focused.
“But you play against men, there is always pressure and you have to give 100% every day. Often the boys start well, but after the holidays there is a little carelessness because fatigue sets in, you take less care of your body than the guys who are used to, 72 games is a long year.
With the help of Bégin and Bouillon
We can say that Bourque learned at the right school when he came to the pros, be it with the Milvaukee Admirals in the American League or with Nashville in the NHL.
“I had the opportunity to play with Steve Bégin in Milwaukee, he was really a role model for me, I learned a lot from him.
“When I arrived in the National League I had Francis Bouillon, so I had really good people who showed me the right path to the pros.”