The Bruins efforts to woo Ray Bourque, a positive for area hockey fans, could be a negative for Mill City residents.
Sports Talk with Teddy Panos has learned organizers of the World Curling Championships approached the Hall of Fame Defenseman about a role as spokesperson for the event. However, Bourque and his representatives have put any dealings on hold while the former B’s great is involved in ongoing negotiations to run the team’s player personnel department, a story reported on Sports Talk Friday.
The 12-team round robin tournament, scheduled to run April 1-9 at the Tsongas Arena is Curling’s premier showcase. The sport is Canada’s second most popular behind hockey, but didn’t catch the public’s eye in the United States until the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bourque’s potential presence would be an added bonus for the event and the city of Lowell. Organizers expect up to 45,000 tickets to be sold and over 5-million dollars to pour into the local economy.
However, Bourque’s presence could prove even more beneficial to the struggling Bruins franchise. The Black and Gold currently reside in the Northeast Division cellar, a spot they’ve occupied most of the season. Calls for the firing of current General Manager Mike O’Connell have intensified, especially since the GM traded the team’s best player, Joe Thornton, in November. It’s unclear whether Bourque’s hiring would result in O’Connell’s re-assignment within the organization or his leaving it entirely.
Ted
I thought Bourque shot that rumor down Thurs or Friday in The Herald. Or are you not allowed to read that paper in your current position? Fill me in if you think his comments were just a smoke show and that there's truth to the rumor.