The Washington Capitals have signed forward Chris Bourque, the team’s second-round choice (32nd overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, to a three-year contract.
Bourque, 19, was of six choices Washington made in the first 66 picks of the 2004 draft. He attended Boston University last year, playing his freshman season with the Terriers. The 5-foot-7, 170-pound native of Boston recorded 10 goals, 13 assists (23 points) and 50 penalty minutes in 35 games with BU.
In March, Bourque announced his intention to leave the university and play in the QMJHL. He then signed an amateur try-out contract with the AHL’s Portland Pirates. Bourque scored one goal — the game-winner in overtime on Apr. 15 vs. Springfield — and registered an assist in six games with Portland.
Prior to beginning his freshman year at Boston U. in the fall of 2004, Bourque played two seasons of high school hockey at Cushing Academy. The son of Hockey Hall of Fame member Ray Bourque, Chris also played for Team USA at the 2005 IIHF World Junior Championships in Grand Forks, N.D.
