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Exclusive: For Mavrik Bourque, Patience Is a Necessary Virtue
It isn't easy to wait for that life-changing phone call. You know, the one with the news you've waited almost your entire life for, "you've been promoted."
The wait can be especially nerve-wracking when others get that call, while you're still stuck in neutral. You watch as they move up to the top level, wondering all the while, "when will my turn come?"
Mavrik Bourque knows what that's like. The Dallas Stars' 30th overall selection in the 2020 NHL Draft is in his second full season with the Texas Stars. He's watched a parade of prospects make the jump to the big club and become regular contributors: Thomas Harley, Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven. Meanwhile, Bourque continues to toil away, waiting for the day when he'll reach the NHL to stay.
It would be so easy to become impatient or discouraged. After all, he's a first-round draft pick who's putting up impressive AHL numbers this season.
Patience, Patience
If there's one thing the 22-year-old Bourque has learned during his pro hockey career, it's the art of being patient, trusting the process and keep working on all aspects of his game.
"I'm just to the point as a player when you feel you're ready, you want that chance to come," the 5-10, 179-pound right-handed forward said. "I think the people around here are happy with what I'm doing, and I've got to keep doing what I'm doing. It's hard to not think about it at this point of the year, but it's part of the business and I can't really control it right now."
Bourque has actually gotten a taste of NHL life, albeit briefly. He was recalled for Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals last season against the Vegas Golden Knights, but ended up being a healthy scratch. He was invited to Stars training camp before the start of this season, making it to the final cut before being loaned to Texas.
It was a valuable learning experience for Bourque, and his efforts did not go unnoticed.
"Mavrik's a real cerebral player, and I think his personality is kind of like that," Stars coach Pete DeBoer told The Hockey News during training camp. "He kind of takes it in and processes it."
Learning the Ropes
Born in Plessisville, Quebec, Bourque began skating at age three and took up hockey a year later. He worked his way through the youth hockey ranks before being drafted by Shawinigan of the QMJHL.
In 172 career games with the Cataractes, Bourque recorded 236 points (93-143-236). He had an assist in five games to help Team Canada to a silver medal at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The Dallas Stars made Bourque their 30th overall selection in the 2020 draft. COVID-19 was in full lockdown mode, but Bourque was surrounded by nearly 100 family members and friends eager to see where he would land.
"We weren't allowed to have more than 10 people, but we still did it," Bourque recalled. "We were just watching the draft and Dallas picked me. It was on a Tuesday night, but it felt like a weekend. We still had a good time with good memories."
Climbing the Ladder
Bourque played most of the 2020-21 season with Shawinigan, but was brought up to the Texas Stars for six games. He scored five points (1-4-5) during that brief span.
In the 2021-22 season, Bourque led the Cataractes to their first QMJHL President's Cup championship in franchise history, beating the Charlottetown Islanders in five games. He played his first full AHL season in 2022-23, scoring 47 points (20-27-47) in 70 regular-season games, plus a goal and three assists in eight games during the Calder Cup playoffs.
The start of that season wasn't a particularly good one for Bourque, who tallied just three points through his first 11 games. He attributes his struggles to having a shorter offseason than usual. After capturing the President's Cup, Shawinigan qualified for the Memorial Cup, which didn't end until late June.
"I barely had time to work out," Bourque said. "I was injured all summer. I didn't feel really good coming into my second training camp. My body didn't feel good, my head didn't feel good."
Texas Stars coach Neil Graham wasn't worried. Graham, who has coached the Stars since 2019, knew it was just a matter of time before Bourque would find his rhythm.
"It's always difficult when you're going through it in the moment," Graham said. "But it was important for us to remind him it's a part of his journey. In turn, having some adversity is OK. We knew he would push through."
Graham was right. Bourque finished the season strong and is having a breakout 2023-24 campaign. Through 56 games, he leads the AHL in scoring with 63 points (20-43-63), including four power play goals.
Like Stankoven, Bourque possesses other elite skills besides scoring goals. He has a keen sense of awareness on both sides of the puck, creates power play chances with crisp passes and forces turnovers.
"He understands his surroundings, and he understands space very well both from an offensive standpoint and defensively," Graham said. "He understands the 200-foot game. He can play up your lineup in an offensive role, but he can also be relied on when you're leading in a game and trying to close a game out in the dying minutes."
Before being called up by Dallas in February, Stankoven occupied the AHL's top spot in scoring and was in line for Most Valuable Player honors. Bourque has now taken Stankoven's place and may end up with the award himself.
When Dallas forward Evgenii Dadonov suffered a lower-body injury, there was little doubt Stankoven would be the one called up to take his place on the roster.
Bourque and Stankoven roomed together during training camp last fall, and it comes as no surprise to Bourque that his teammate has started off with a bang during his brief time in the NHL.
"I think he was ready," Bourque said. "He's a goal-scorer, so it's good to see him doing good up there."
That time is sure to come for Bourque, too. Barring another injury, it may not be until next season. Until then, he intends to continue working on all aspects of his game and be ready when his phone does ring.
"I think my all-around game is getting better and better," he said. "I feel confident I can be a full-time NHL player right now. I think if you find a way to put the puck in the net and put points on the board, it means you're creating something. When I don't produce, I need to find a way to keep my game sharp and keep creating offense."
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