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The Ray Bourque’s trade was written in the history as one of the most significant and the most memorable trades ever.
Ray Bourque was a legendary defenseman and „eternal“ Bruins captain since 1985. After his 20 seasons, he realized that his beloved Bruins couldn’t make his dream about getting Stanley cup come true. Because of that in his 21st season he asked for the trade to the team which had a chance to win Stanley Cup. On the 6th March 2000, he was trade along with Dave Andreychuk to Colorado Avalanche for Brian Rolston, Samuel Pahlsson and Martin Grenier. At that time nobody expected that one of the most memorable hockey stories ever just started up.
"This was a selfish move in terms of my career," Bourque told shortly after the deal. "I know it's a shocker that I made a move like this, because everything I've ever done in my life has been safe, safe, safe." The Boston fans didn’t consider it to be neither a shocker nor a betrayal. When The Avalanche came to boston Ray was welcomed with a big ovations.
Bourque came to team where future Hall of Fame members like Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and some other talented players like Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanquay and Chris Drury were performing. The Avalanche won Stanley cup in 1996 right after their moving from Quebec. The previous three seasons they were just watching Detroit and Dallas becoming superteams of Western Conference. Bourque’s and Andreychuk’s arrival helped Avalanches win in their Division. However they were no game for the leader from Dallas in the final of Conference. The Avalanche lost the seventh game which was determing.
Bourque decided to stay in Colorado and signed a contract for the 2000/2001 season. Dave Andreychuk headed for Buffalo. That time the discussion began if the Ray could help Colorado to gain Stanley cup in the age of 40.
Rob Blake who joined the team in the famous exchange from the 21st February 2001 said: „He played like it was his last chance. He led us all.“
Ray gained 59 points in the regular season and scored 7 goals. He made a new record as defenseman over 40 years of age. This record was passed by Niclas Lidström from Detroit later.
He added 10 points and four goals more in 21 games in play-off. After the seventh determing game his dream came true. When NHL commisar Gary Bettman was giving Stanley Cup to Joe Sakic he gave it directly to Ray. He raised it over his head like the first one. These moments were beautiful. This story belongs to the most memorable and the luckiest hockey stories which wouldn’t be made up by any Hollywood screenwriter. The legend gained the desiered trophy in the last match of his career.
What happened to the players involved in this trade?
Brian Rolston was already a holder of Stanley Cup from 1995 so he couldn’t be worried about leaving Colorado. After 5 years anabasis in Boston and 3 years in Minnesota he came back to the team he started his NHL Career in – New Jersey Devils. In 2011/2012 season he was performing in the NY Islanders team whereby throughout the deadline he was exchanged to Boston Bruins.
Samuel Pahlsson was exchanged before he could debut as an Avalanche player. After 17 games in Bruins team he was exchanged to Anaheim, where he spent 7 seasons and won Stanley Cup in 2007. In season 2011/2012 he played in Columbus Blue Jackets but throughout the deadline he changed his jersey for Vancouver. Now he is playing in Elitserien for MODO but at this moment he is injured.
Dave Andreychuk decided not to sign the contract with Avalanche and left for Buffalo where he spent just one season. Then he came to Tampa Bay where he raised the Stanley Cup over his head as a captain in 2004. After the unsuccessful 2005/2006 season he definitely finished his playing career.
Martin Grenier has never been successful in NHL. He played just 18 games there in all. Then he was performing in KHL in the Traktor Čeljabinsk team. He missed the whole 2010/2011 season. He is now playing in the Saguenay Marquis which operates in LNAH.
Rudolf Sery, Slovakia, sery@eurolanche.com
29/11/2012 - 20:00
RETRO: Ray Bourque comes to Denver
The Ray Bourque’s trade was written in the history as one of the most significant and the most memorable trades ever.Ray Bourque was a legendary defenseman and „eternal“ Bruins captain since 1985. After his 20 seasons, he realized that his beloved Bruins couldn’t make his dream about getting Stanley cup come true. Because of that in his 21st season he asked for the trade to the team which had a chance to win Stanley Cup. On the 6th March 2000, he was trade along with Dave Andreychuk to Colorado Avalanche for Brian Rolston, Samuel Pahlsson and Martin Grenier. At that time nobody expected that one of the most memorable hockey stories ever just started up.
"This was a selfish move in terms of my career," Bourque told shortly after the deal. "I know it's a shocker that I made a move like this, because everything I've ever done in my life has been safe, safe, safe." The Boston fans didn’t consider it to be neither a shocker nor a betrayal. When The Avalanche came to boston Ray was welcomed with a big ovations.
Bourque came to team where future Hall of Fame members like Patrick Roy, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and some other talented players like Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanquay and Chris Drury were performing. The Avalanche won Stanley cup in 1996 right after their moving from Quebec. The previous three seasons they were just watching Detroit and Dallas becoming superteams of Western Conference. Bourque’s and Andreychuk’s arrival helped Avalanches win in their Division. However they were no game for the leader from Dallas in the final of Conference. The Avalanche lost the seventh game which was determing.
Bourque decided to stay in Colorado and signed a contract for the 2000/2001 season. Dave Andreychuk headed for Buffalo. That time the discussion began if the Ray could help Colorado to gain Stanley cup in the age of 40.
Rob Blake who joined the team in the famous exchange from the 21st February 2001 said: „He played like it was his last chance. He led us all.“
Ray gained 59 points in the regular season and scored 7 goals. He made a new record as defenseman over 40 years of age. This record was passed by Niclas Lidström from Detroit later.
He added 10 points and four goals more in 21 games in play-off. After the seventh determing game his dream came true. When NHL commisar Gary Bettman was giving Stanley Cup to Joe Sakic he gave it directly to Ray. He raised it over his head like the first one. These moments were beautiful. This story belongs to the most memorable and the luckiest hockey stories which wouldn’t be made up by any Hollywood screenwriter. The legend gained the desiered trophy in the last match of his career.
What happened to the players involved in this trade?
Brian Rolston was already a holder of Stanley Cup from 1995 so he couldn’t be worried about leaving Colorado. After 5 years anabasis in Boston and 3 years in Minnesota he came back to the team he started his NHL Career in – New Jersey Devils. In 2011/2012 season he was performing in the NY Islanders team whereby throughout the deadline he was exchanged to Boston Bruins.
Samuel Pahlsson was exchanged before he could debut as an Avalanche player. After 17 games in Bruins team he was exchanged to Anaheim, where he spent 7 seasons and won Stanley Cup in 2007. In season 2011/2012 he played in Columbus Blue Jackets but throughout the deadline he changed his jersey for Vancouver. Now he is playing in Elitserien for MODO but at this moment he is injured.
Dave Andreychuk decided not to sign the contract with Avalanche and left for Buffalo where he spent just one season. Then he came to Tampa Bay where he raised the Stanley Cup over his head as a captain in 2004. After the unsuccessful 2005/2006 season he definitely finished his playing career.
Martin Grenier has never been successful in NHL. He played just 18 games there in all. Then he was performing in KHL in the Traktor Čeljabinsk team. He missed the whole 2010/2011 season. He is now playing in the Saguenay Marquis which operates in LNAH.
Rudolf Sery, Slovakia, sery@eurolanche.com
29/11/2012 - 20:00
