The forward is a big “hit” with the Maineiacs.
By Justin Pelletier
Staff Writer

LEWISTON – It only lasted for 14 minutes, but on Sunday Alex Bourret played what may be his most important game of the season to this point.

After getting hit by a snap shot in Halifax two weeks ago, Bourret immediately underwent surgery to repair the crack in his jaw. His mouth wired shut, he couldn’t speak or eat for nearly a week and a half. Sunday, just 16 days after the surgery, Bourret was back on the ice in a game.

“He is an important player for us,” said Maineiacs coach Mario Durocher. “He is a physical player and he is aggressive. He hits well, and we like that kind of player, especially with such a young offense.”

Hitting the ice

One of the roles Bourret has undertaken this season is that of a silent enforcer. He is not on anyone’s radar screen as a fighter, and with his size it’s not hard to understand why. But Bourret is aggressive, and he hits in every situation, throwing his 5-foot, 8-inch frame at whomever gets in his way.

“He hits like a horse,” said Durocher. “He can skate well and he can shoot well, but he is really aggressive, too.”

For Bourret, being physical is something that has always come naturally, especially with his size.

“With the injury, I won’t be able to hit like normal for a while,” said Bourret, “but normally, I have to play a tough game. I don’t have much choice because of my size.”

Matching up

Proving that Durocher has a lot of faith in Bourret, who was with the team last year in Sherbrooke, the tenacious forward often plays against opposing teams’ first lines. This year, that has included three games lining up opposite Sidney Crosby. In those games, Crosby has just one goal and four assists on eight shots, and Lewiston has won all three games.

“He’s a good player,” said Bourret. “I don’t like to play against him, but I play better when I do. I know that I can’t give any chances that I might give others when I play against Crosby.”

Fitting in

Bourret played two years ago with Magog in AAA before playing in Sherbrooke last season. A native of Drummondville, Quebec, Bourret’s English is limited, and playing in the united States has been somewhat of an adventure for the speedy skater.

“On the ice, it isn’t really different,” said Bourret. “The language on the ice is the same no matter where you go. Off the ice, though, it’s a challenge.”

Part of the challenge for Bourret is communicating in English with people in the community and with his billet family.

“It’s very different communicating in English,” said Bourret. “School is different for all of us, too. It’s a good experience, though.”

Turning heads

Several times this season, Bourret has received some “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd on several occasions, most of them positive acknowledgment of a solid play.

On Sunday, just 14:16 into the game, Bourret slashed a Gatineau forward across the back of the legs with his stick, an infraction that sent him packing for the game. His aggressive nature was still intact.

“I think he probably had a bit too much energy saved up,” said Durocher after the game. “If he plays like he is capable of playing, he is one of the best all-around players in the league. The key with him is being consistent. If he does, he is a very, very good player.”

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

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