If Alex Bourret Signs With Allen - A Draft

Alex Bourret

I said in my last post that it would be a month before anything else would get posted. I just came across the story below about Alex Bourret that I had written several weeks ago when social media was buzzing with the news Alex was about to sign with Allen. What I typically do when hearing about a potential signing is prepare a short story that I can include with the official press release issued by the team. Since I won't be around when this signing gets announced (it is highly likely this will happen) and it also will not be a surprise to anyone since there has been so much discussion already I am sharing the "draft" of my story for your information. Will be in Mongolia and off the grid starting tomorrow.

DRAFT  DRAFT  DRAFT  DRAFT

The Allen Americans have announced Alex Bourret has signed to play for Allen for the 2013-2014 season. Bourret is 26 years old, 5'10" 205 lbs. and shoots left. He was drafted in the first round (16th overall) of the 2005 NHL draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. He has 176 AHL games under his belt and played for the Wichita Thunder in 2011-2012 where he had 57 points (20 goal & 37 Assists) in 43 games. His style of play could best be described as an agitator supreme. Bourret probably enjoys the verbal warfare part of hockey more than any other player even though he will have some competition in that department this year from Bootland and Clarke. Americans fans are going to love it.

"I don't mind talking as it gets me going," Bourret said. "I think all the guys like it too. I don't fight much but I like to talk all game long." As proof of his agitator prowess Alex was voted "Most Annoying Player" in the 2012 CHL Best of The Best Awards. He also finished 3rd in the voting for the CHL MVP that year. He has the potential to be the best player in the CHL this year.

When he was drafted in 2005 here is what was said.
- Hockey's International Scouting Services proclaimed that "he is built like a tank, and hits like a truck." The Hockey News described him as "a skilled scoring machine."
- Bourret is a strong skater , who combines skill with physical play, and is a tireless worker. Beyond his offensive ability, the most dominant aspect of Bourret’s game is his physical play. He is more than willing to get his nose dirty, and stick up for his teammates.

Here is the info from hockeydb:

Alex Bourret

Right Wing
Born Oct 5 1986 -- Drummondville, PQ
[26 yrs. ago]
Height 5.10 -- Weight 205 -- Shoots L

Selected by Atlanta Thrashers round 1 #16 overall 2005 NHL Entry Draft

			Regular Season						Playoffs
Season	Team	Lge	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	+/-	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002-03	Sherbrooke Castors	QMJHL	61	13	15	28	73	7	12	1	1	2	10
2003-04	Lewiston MAINEiacs	QMJHL	65	22	41	63	94	6	7	4	5	9	20
2004-05	Lewiston MAINEiacs	QMJHL	65	31	55	86	172	27	8	6	8	14	25
2005-06	Shawinigan Cataractes	QMJHL	67	44	70	114	133	11	7	3	4	7	14
2006-07	Chicago Wolves	AHL	45	11	21	32	46	3	--	--	--	--	--
2006-07	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL	23	5	13	18	12	2	7	3	8	11	2
2007-08	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL	54	9	24	33	78	0	5	1	3	4	17
2008-09	San Antonio Rampage	AHL	48	3	11	14	44	-10	--	--	--	--	--
2009-10	Thetford Mines Isothermic	LNAH	2	0	2	2	0	-3
2009-10	Brno Kometa	Czech	16	0	1	1	8	-1	--	--	--	--	--
2009-10	Las Vegas Wranglers	ECHL	36	18	28	46	81	-4	4	2	1	3	0
2010-11	Ontario Reign	ECHL	42	12	25	37	68	-20	--	--	--	--	--
2011-12	Wichita Thunder	CHL	43	20	37	57	168	20	14	5	9	14	14
2011-12	Worcester Sharks	AHL	6	0	3	3	4	0	--	--	--	--	--
2012-13	Cornwall Riverkings	LNAH	31	12	20	32	58	2

From what I have read the story of Alex Bourret is one of underachievement as related to his potential. He was rated as high as 10th overall by some scouting services in the 2005 NHL draft and was selected 16th. Remember, the 2005 draft had NHL all stars Sidney Crosby (1st), Carey Price (5th), Anze Kopitar (11th), and Marc Stall (12th).

Whether it has been maturity, discipline, conditioning or injury his career has not lived up to the potential seen in him by others. “Maybe I was not mature enough,” Bourret said. “I was probably not in the best shape I could have been in and now maybe they’re scared to give me a chance. But I’m more mature now. I’d like to get another chance.” There has never been any doubt about his skill and grit. After all he averages over a point a game. With the veteran club here in Allen and a coaching staff that appreciates what he brings to the team this could be a break out year for Alex if he can stay reasonably healthy. I know it will be fun to watch the journey and hopefully he will get that chance at the next level.

And how about the possibility of  Bourret & Lavoie as part of an Alex/Alex "French Connection" line?

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2012/04/12/2294140/bob-lutz-thunders-bourret-has.html#storylink=cpyThere has never, however, been any doubt about his skill and grit. After all he averages over a point a game. I think Allen will be the perfect place for Bourret to thrive with a veteran club and the coaching staff who will appreciate what he brings to the team. If he can stay reasonably healthy this could be a breakout year that gets Alex to the next level. I for one. look forward to the journey.