NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Simon Bourque

Get to Know Simon Bourque

Date of Birth: 1-12-97
Place of Birth: Greenfield Park, QC, CAN
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 190 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Defenseman
Team: Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Simon Bourque was not just a spectator in Oceanic’s championship run this past season. He put in 38 points (10g, 28a) in 68 regular season games and added in 5 points (1g, 4a) in 17 playoff games, helping his team take home top honors with the QMJHL Championship win.

Bourque made a huge leap from his previous season with Rimouski, and it doesn’t look as if his progress is going to slow. He is a leader both on and off the ice, donning the “A” for his team in 2014-15. The second-round Rimouski selection in the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft is making a name for himself, such that he’ll be sure to hear it called later this month.

Statistics

What Scouts See

Bill Placzek

Averaged sized QMJHL defender who is have displays all around skills and a [sic] improving three zone game. Makes good decisions and passes the puck really well. Plays a positionally sound game and has some physicality.

Future Considerations

A solid, mature-minded, two-way blueliner who plays a solid game at both ends of the ice. He has a good, powerful stride with good speed and acceleration. He uses his skating power to join the rush and get involved offensively. Pivots well and has fluid all-direction mobility. He handles the puck well, using his strength on the puck and hand-speed to gain space to rush up ice or make a strong pass up ice. He distributes the puck effectively and has an accurate good wristshot from the point. His vision is high-end. His slap shot is relatively weak and will need some work. He is strong defensively, playing aggressively and physical, but will need to continue to add strength to be more effective in that role. Keeps attackers to the outside and can keep up to the speedy opponents because of his strong skating ability. He makes good step-ups and aggressive plays to force guys wide and take them off the puck in the corners and along the boards. He is aggressive and tough down-low on defense. A guy who makes good decisions all over the ice and can play heavy minutes when called upon. This kid’s game is on a steep trajectory and only getting better.

What BSN Avalanche sees

Bourque is a quiet player, one that doesn’t make huge, breathtaking plays but who also doesn’t make huge, groaning mistakes. He’s a solid two-way defenseman with a clean pass and high IQ. He slows down the game with his patience and transitions the play well. He can also generate offense as his 28 assists in 68 games shows.

Bourque doesn’t hesitate to work hard in the dirty areas, though he needs to add some muscle to augment that side of his game. He also needs to work on the strength of his shots. While he can sneak a wrister through with the best of them, he doesn’t have a lot of power behind his shots.

All in all, his strengths—skating, passing, vision, patience—give him a great set of tools to develop.

NHL Potential

With additional time in juniors to round out his game, Bourque could prove to be the perfect bottom-pairing defenseman who has the ability to do spot duty in the middle. He’s as reliable as they get, and coaches will appreciate that they can count on him to do his job responsibly.

Expected Draft Position

Expect to hear Bourque’s name mid-third round. He offers far too much as a prospect to drop into the late rounds, but he doesn’t have that elite talent to see him go sooner. An all around solid choice, more than one team will be interested.

How Simon Bourque Fits in Avalanche Organization

Bourque would actually be a nice addition to the Avalanche prospect pool. Too many of the team’s lower-pairing defensemen are there by default: not good enough for the higher ranks but have to be utilized because they’re there and the younger guys need more development. Bourque could be brought along with the intention of playing him as the 5th defenseman. A responsible two-way player who can defend the puck as well as hit the net or set up a teammate is a valuable commodity, and Bourque could eat up those minutes on the lower rungs while forcing the opposition to defend against him.