John Walton Hockey

Wed, Sep 30th, 2009 9:09:00 pm

BOURQUE CLAIMED, KANE RECALLED

So much for a quiet day of practice and preparation for Saturday’s regular season opener. The post-Chris Bourque era in Hershey is here as of noontime Wednesday, as the left winger was claimed off waivers by the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. After two Calder Cup wins, an NHL debut and his first NHL goal, Chris now moves on from the organization with a chance perhaps to finally solidify a chance to stick on an NHL roster. For Chris, and for selfish reasons, I’m sure I speak for all of us when I hope he sticks in Pittsburgh. Because I really don’t want to contemplate seeing him in a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton uniform any time soon. Or ever. We talked quite a bit on the air during the preseason that no one doubts the goaltending and defense that the Baby Pens possess. The offense is a question mark going in with the losses they sustained, but Hershey’s old number 17 could make a difference if he ever cleared waivers and was sent down. I’m sad to see Chris go for a lot of reasons, but mostly because I felt like we watched him grow up here. He’s ready for the next challenge, and I’m glad to see an NHL team giving him a chance. For selfish reasons, I wish it wasn’t Pittsburgh that gave him the chance. But in the big picture, he was wanted by the defending Stanley Cup champs. I’m sure that fact isn’t lost on his dad, who waited so long for his chance at winning, and then finally did at the end of his career with Colorado.

Tarik caught up with Chris prior to his departure for the ‘Burgh, where he said he was “excited and sad”…

http://voices.washingtonpost.

Elsewhere on a busy, busy Wednesday, the Capitals have recalled Boyd Kane from Hershey in time for tomorrow’s opener at Boston against the Bruins. As you’ll see in the video here (which was literally as he was going out the door from Giant Center after finding out), he was pretty surprised at the recall, but grateful for the chance. As mentioned here yesterday, the Michael Nylander story isn’t over yet, but it’s been reported he won’t be seeing the ice Thursday night. Kane is expected to be on the fourth line against Boston, with Quintin Laing moving up to the third line.

The official release from the Caps, with Quintin Laing, Tyler Sloan and Semyon Varlamov making their first NHL roster out of training camp, and Michal Neuvirth officially on his way to Hershey for another kick at the can...

http://capitals.nhl.com/

In other Bears roster news today, defenseman Josh Godfrey has been assigned to South Carolina (ECHL).

Video for you from practice today (where we were working sideline stories when the news broke on Kane and Bourque)…

Boyd Kane on being recalled to Washington and the value of keeping a positive outlook…
Jay Beagle on his emotions looking toward Saturday night’s ring ceremony and banner raising….
Longtime head trainer Dan “Beaker” Stuck on another Calder Cup ceremony, and the importance of family and looking after those who haven’t been part of one before…
Terry Moore, leader of the famous Bull**** chant in the stands at Hersheypark Arena/Giant Center, on the timing of the chant, being mentioned by Bruce Boudreau during a postgame press conference, and his love of the Bears…
Bonus video of Pepsi’s new dasher boards at Giant Center, just put up this week…