Preds Prospect Gabriel Bourque Named CHL Player of the Week

The honors keep coming for Predator prospects with Gabriel Bourque being named the CHL Player of the Week. If Bourque's Moncton Wildcats continue on to the Memorial Cup, we may see a match-up against Pred prospect Ryan Ellis and the Windsor Spitfires.

Here's the release from the CHL and the Nashville Predators...

Wildcats’ Gabriel Bourque Named CHL Player of the Week

For Immediate Release
Tuesday May 4, 2010

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced that Gabriel Bourque of the Moncton Wildcats is the CHL Player of the Week following two games of the QMJHL Final. Bourque scored five goals to lead the Wildcats to a 2-0 series lead over the Saint John Sea Dogs for the President Cup.

Bourque led the way with a hat-trick including the game-winner Friday night on the road in a 5-1 win in Game 1 to open the series as first star of the game. The Wildcats offense continued at home in Game 2 on Sunday emerging with a 9-3 victory with Bourque contributing two goals as second star of the game. By scoring his 16th goal of the playoffs, Bourque established a new Wildcats record for goals scored in one playoff year. Game 3 of the series is set for Tuesday night in Saint John.

Bourque, a 19-year-old from Rimouski, QC, is playing in his third QMJHL season. A fifth round draft choice of the Nashville Predators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and member of Canada’s National Junior Team, Bourque has 21 points in 17 playoff games.

Brandon Kozun of the Calgary Hitmen and defenceman Mark Cundari of the Windsor Spitfires were also considered for the award. Kozun scored a goal and three assists for four points in two games to help the Hitmen take a 2-0 series lead over the Tri-City Americans in the WHL Finals for the Ed Chynoweth Cup. Cundari scored two goals and three assists for five points in three games to help the Spitfires grab a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Barrie Colts in the OHL Finals for the Robertson Cup.


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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

Predators Sign Gabriel Bourque, Charles-Oliver Roussel, and Michael Latta

In a couple of releases, the Nashville Predators announced the signing of three highly regarded prospects from last summers 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Gabriel Bourque, Charles-Oliver Roussel, and Michael Latta all signed entry level contracts.

Preds fan's are anxiously awaiting an announcement of the signing of Hobey Baker winner, Blake Geoffrion. Geoffrion appears ready to drive down the street to Milwaukee as he tweeted "So who's from milwaukee out there and what's there to do in milwaukee?" earlier today.

Here are two press releases from the Predators...


NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN 2009 DRAFTEES BOURQUE AND ROUSSEL

Nashville, Tenn. (April 15, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2009 draft picks Gabriel Bourque (gah-BREE-ehl BOHRK) and Charles-Olivier Roussel (CHAR-uhlz-OH-lihv-ee-ay roo-SEHL) to three-year entry-level contracts.

Bourque, 19 (9/23/90), split the 2009-10 season between Baie-Comeau and Moncton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, posting 52 points (16g-36a) and 98 penalty minutes in 55 games. A 5-9, 185-pound left wing, he also earned a silver medal with Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where he tied for seventh in the tournament in assists (6) and tied for 11th in points (9).

Drafted 132nd overall (fifth round), in the 2009 Entry Draft, Bourque has nine points (7g-2a) in 11 playoff games for the Moncton Wildcats, who are preparing to take on Drummondville in the QMJHL Semifinals.

Roussel, 18 (9/13/91), amassed 48 points (14g-34a) in 60 games for the QMJHL’s Shawinigan Cataractes in 2009-10, finishing eighth among league defensemen in goals and points. The 6-1, 201 blueliner also ranked among the Top 10 at the position in assists (tied for ninth), power-play goals (third, 12) and game-winning goals (tied for third, 4). Like Bourque, the St. Eustache, Que., native played for Team QMJHL in the 2009 Subway Super Series, and participated in Canada’s 2009 National Junior Team Development Camp. Selected 42nd overall (second round) last summer, Roussel was the youngest player selected in the 2009 Entry Draft after being named a Second Team QMJHL All-Star in 2008-09.

With Shawinigan’s season complete, Roussel has joined the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) for the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs.

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NASHVILLE PREDATORS SIGN 2009 THIRD ROUNDER MICHAEL LATTA

Nashville, Tenn. (April 14, 2010) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2009 third-round selection Michael Latta (MIGH-kuhl LA-tuh) to a three-year entry-level contract.

Latta, 18 (5/25/91), was the only player in the Ontario Hockey League this season to rank in the Top 25 in points (21st, 73), goals (24th, 33) and penalty minutes (eighth, 157), putting up the totals in 58 games for the Guelph Storm. The 5-11, 205-pound center also finished fifth in the OHL in game-winning goals (8), and third in the OHL Western Conference Coaches’ poll for Best Stickhandler. Selected 72nd overall (third round), in the 2009 Entry Draft, Latta finished the regular season with 46 points (23g-23a) and 77 penalty minutes in his final 29 games, then led the Storm in postseason points (9) and assists (7) in five games.

With Guelph’s season complete, Latta has joined the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) for the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs.

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Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass