BBC SPORT | OTHER SPORTS | Bourque dream no longer on ice

BBC Sport Online's Kevin Asseo on the successful finish to a decades-long quest by Ray Bourque, the star defenceman of Stanley Cup winners Colorado.

His 22-year wait is over - Ray Bourque is a Stanley Cup champion at last.

There are several stories to emerge from the Colorado Avalanche's Cup victory.

They include one of the greatest goaltenders ever winning an unprecedented third play-off Most Valuable Player honour.

Then there is the thrilling comeback from a three-games-to-two deficit, and the loss of their best offensive player just before the finals.

But, make no mistake, Colorado's win is all about Ray Bourque.

In our hearts and our lives, we were playing for Ray Bourque

Avalanche coach Bob Hartley

The 40-year-old defenceman, who spent 20 years with the Boston Bruins before coming to Denver last year, finally achieved the one goal in professional hockey that had eluded him.

When the final whistle blew and the Stanley Cup was finally his, the emotions of the moment were not lost on Bourque, his teammates, or anyone else in the building.

"I couldn't breathe the last 30 seconds, and it wasn't because I was tired," Bourque said. "It was just too much. I was trying to hold off the tears, the emotions."

Main motivation

Colorado goalie Patrick Roy was outstanding throughout the post-season on his way to the record-setting third MVP honour.

But he knew his achievement paled in comparison to Bourque's long-awaited victory.

"Right now, I'm just thinking about Ray," said Roy after accepting his MVP trophy.

Avalanche coach Bob Hartley made clear what was his team's main motivation.

Colorado goaltender Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe trophy
Roy won the Conn Smythe trophy for the final's MVP
"In our hearts and our lives, we were playing for Ray Bourque," he said.

Clearly, no ordinary player inspires this kind of loyalty, and Bourque is certainly no ordinary player.

Since entering the league in 1979, no defenseman has performed as consistently or at such a high level.

He is the consummate all-around player, strong on both the defensive and offensive ends of the ice, with virtually no weaknesses.

He has scored more points than any other defenceman in NHL history and is currently eighth among all players on the all-time points list.

Bourque has won the Norris Trophy, awarded to league's top defenceman, more than any other player since the legendary Bobby Orr hung up his skates in 1979.

Good chance

The question of whether Bourque will retire now that he has reached his goal remains unanswered.

"I'm going to take a little time here to think about the future and get some rest," said the future Hall of Famer.

Given how little his skills have diminished with age, there is a good chance he will return for another year, possibly more.

Ray Bourque
Bourque takes the Cup for an spin around the rink
"Obviously by his play, he can play in this league for another five or six years," said Colorado team-mate Rob Blake.

Tradition dictates that the NHL commissioner presents the Stanley Cup to the winning team's captain, who then circles the rink with the Cup held aloft.

As a tribute to Bourque, tradition was broken this year.

As soon as commissioner Gary Bettman handed Avalanche captain Joe Sakic the Cup, Sakic immediately passed it to Bourque.

It was then that his emotions boiled over, and Bourque hoisted the Cup as high over his head as his arms would allow, lowering it only to plant numerous kisses on it.

"Lifting the Cup - what a feeling," he said. "I just can't describe it."

It was a wonderful moment, and the perfect finish to the NHL season.


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