Less than one month after Paul Pearl left Cushing to become the next Dexter Southfield athletic director, the Penguins have found their next boss. Ryan Bourque (Topsfield, Mass.) was announced as the next head coach of Cushing on Tuesday afternoon. Bourque has an extensive history at Cushing. The 5-foot-9, speedy winger played two seasons in...
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Ryan Bourque (Topsfield, Mass.) was announced as the next head coach of Cushing on Tuesday afternoon.
Bourque has an extensive history at Cushing. The 5-foot-9, speedy winger played two seasons in Ashburnham, Mass., capping things off with a 50-point campaign in 2006-07 before heading to the U.S. National Team Development Program for two seasons. His older brother, Chris, played at Cushing before him.
And yes — his father is Ray Bourque.
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"It's an honor and privilege to return to my roots and be named head coach of the Penguins," Bourque said. "I'm excited to represent the school that helped shape me as a person and player and am prepared to guide our next generation of young student-athletes."
Bourque was drafted in the third round (80th overall) by the New York Rangers in the 2009 NHL Draft. Instead of playing college hockey, Bourque opted for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where he played two seasons with the Quebec Ramparts, posting 102 points in 93 games.
His time in professional hockey was mostly spent in the American Hockey League (AHL). First with the Connecticut Whale and then with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Hershey Bears, Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Charlotte Checkers. In 2014-15, Bourque played in one game with the New York Rangers.
"His experience and expertise from his success in nine seasons of professional hockey give him invaluable knowledge and insights to impart to our players as they develop their skills," Cushing head of school Dr. Randy Bertin said.
Bourque's coaching career began in 2021 when he was an assistant with the South Carolina Stingrays of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). He held that job for two seasons before most recently becoming an assistant with the U.S. National Team Development Program's U18 team.
Cushing is in an interesting situation. The Penguins are fresh off back-to-back Elite 8 championship game appearances, but are expected to undergo a large amount of roster turnover due to players graduating or opting to go play junior hockey.
Still, Cushing is a powerhouse looking to grow even more. And Bourque, at 33 years old, is a powerhouse kind of name apt to grow with it.
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