Every day leading up to the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft on Tuesday, October 6, we will be profiling prospects who are likely to be in range of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ selection at #21. We will continue our player reviews of the forwards later in the week as well.
Mavrik Bourque
Position: Center
Team: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
Date of Birth: January 8, 2002
Birthplace: Plessisville, Quebec
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 178
Shoots: Right
Rankings
Ranked #12 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #19 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #28 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #20 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #22 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #22 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #19 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #26 by TSN/McKenzie
2019-20 Stats
Games Played: 49
Goals: 29
Assists: 42
Points: 71
PIM: 30
The Blue Jackets need center depth, and they need forwards who can score. Mavrik Bourque is both. Even in the offense-heavy QMJHL he was among the most prolific scorers, ranking in the top ten in points per game. This follows a 2018-19 season where he led rookies in his league in goals. Unfortunately his season was cut short by an injury in early February.
Size is the major concern, and Bourque lacks elite speed. On the plus side, he has great vision and hockey sense, and obviously knows how to set up his teammates and find the back of the net. He may need a year or two to fill out and strengthen up before being ready to contribute at the NHL level.
Scouting Reports
SKILLED FORWARD WHO PROCESSES THE GAME WELL. EXCELLENT PUCK SKILLS AND VISION. SMART OFFENSIVE INSTINCTS TO RECOGNIZE OPENINGS. QUICK TO GENERATE OFFENSIVE OPPORTUNITIES. DECEPTIVE SPEED AND QUICKNESS. CURRENT PLAYER COMPARABLE: BROCK BOESER – NHL Central Scouting
He has some natural offensive ability, with an excellent shot, especially off the pass. Bourque doesn’t have an imposing frame, but he has quick hands and a good idea of how to spin the wheels offensively for his team. I think his skating could stand to improve, but it’s not a major drawback for him. – Chris Peters, ESPN
He’s one of those players who just plays fast. He’s quick from a standstill. He’s agile in high traffic. He can play the puck into space and get to it through bodies and sticks. He reads and reacts before defenders do. And he’ll hang onto the puck to beat a defender one-on-one on one shift before stopping up to throw a pass against the grain in the next. Bourque has also consistently made high-end plays without high-end players around him. And his production is in line with many of the CHL players who will likely be selected in front of him. He’s not particularly explosive for his size and that may limit his NHL upside, but you don’t have to be the fastest player on the ice to play like you’re the fastest player on the ice. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
I think that whoever ends up with Mavrik Bourque will end up dealing with some pushback, since he is undersized and seems a riskier pick than other early-round options. However, I’m sure their fans will end up loving his playmaking ability regardless, as he has the skating ability to make it work in the NHL. As long as he continues to get into the dangerous scoring areas, his propensity for getting the puck on net will help him get on the score sheet on the professional level. – Chris Fieldhouse, All About the Jersey
Overall, Mavrik Bourque is a good prospect who has the Hockey IQ and vision to produce offense at a high level. Combine his quick and crafty style of play that allow him to make highly skilled passing plays along with the powerful and accurate shot, Bourque is a very good offensive talent that should make him a first-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft.
While there are some valid concerns about his lack of high-end speed to his skating, as well as his current lack of strength, those are both things that should and can be improved as he develops into a more mature hockey player. – Zeke Boyat, Hockey Wilderness
Highlights
Bourque is #22 in these clips: