Tonight Ray Bourque’s son will make his National Hockey League debut, but Boston Bruins fans should be anything but happy about it.
Winger Ryan Bourque, 24, will suit up for the New York Rangers Thursday as the Presidents’ Trophy winners sit a couple of star players for a game that means nothing to them and everything to their opponent, the Ottawa Senators.
With the Senators now knotted with the Bruins at 95 points, Boston would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Florida Panthers in any fashion and the Senators lose in regulation to the Rangers.
Top-four defenceman Marc Staal, top scorer Rick Nash and forward Mats Zuccarello have all been granted a night off to rest, and New York has recalled Bourque and defenceman Chris Summers from the Hartford Wolf Pack to fill in.
Ryan Bourque, who bears a striking resemblance to his Hall of Fame dad, was selected by New York in the third round (80th overall) of the 2009 draft and has spent four seasons in the American Hockey League without cracking the big roster.
This season, the defensively responsible Bourque has 12 goals and 30 points in 70 games for Hartford.
His parents will be attending Madison Square Garden for the game.
“Obviously an exciting phone call to get. I made the trip up and got here real smoothly,” Ryan told the team’s website. “[My dad and brother] just said to enjoy it, soak it in and just play my game. Don’t try and be anything else. Just play my game and bring some energy.”
The 27-year-old Summers was acquired in the Keith Yandle trade. He already played one game with the Rangers against the Capitals on March 29.
The Rangers will start Henrik Lundqvist in net Thursday. Ottawa, of course, will go with Andrew “Hamburglar” Hammond.
