In the fall of 2018, Mavrik Bourque collected 7 points in his first 15 games in the QMJHL. A year and a half later, he was drafted in the first round by the Dallas Stars.
Published yesterday at 5:03 p.m.
In the fall of 2022, in his first season in the American League, he was limited to 3 points in 14 games. The following year, he won the circuit scoring championship.
As a result, when he settled in Dallas for good in the fall of 2024, no one panicked seeing the points slowly pile up for the Quebec forward. “We had spoken to his former coaches, and we knew that he had always had slow starts,” Stars pilot Peter DeBoer said Friday morning. The Texans were training in Montreal, on the eve of this Saturday’s clash against the Canadian.
Bourque, in addition, suffered an injury – the nature of which was never disclosed – during training camp, which forced him to miss the first games of the campaign. When he was finally back on his feet, he started walking…slowly. Barely 2 points in 11 games. And he was given limited ice time: less than 8 minutes on November 16 during a visit to Minnesota. Bourque was thus able to see that a “learning curve” was emerging before him.
And where was he located, on this curve, in relation to his objectives? “I was still very far away,” he admits. I’m late. But lately, things are going in the right direction. In the American League, it took me about thirty games [avant d’être à l’aise]I have the impression that this is a bit what is happening now. »
Despite his timid collection of 8 points in 35 matches, there are signs of an evolution in his game. His time of use is gradually increasing, as are his responsibilities. He is now used with regularity on the power play, and he also contributes on the penalty kill.
“It’s not all about goals and assists in this league,” recalled Jamie Benn, captain of the Stars. He shows up every night, and he plays well over 200 feet. He helps our team win, and that’s the most important thing. »
Offensively, “we see him regain his confidence and his superb [swagger] », added Peter DeBoer. As proof, Bourque has just collected points in his last two games.
“It’s timely, because we need him,” concluded the head coach.
Adaptation
Despite his youth, the native of Plessisville provides a lucid assessment of his situation. At 5’11” and 180 lbs, he’s “not the biggest”. And despite all his skills, he’s “not the fastest” either.
In his eyes, what has allowed him to be successful to date is his intelligence of the game. « See the gamecreate games,” he lists. Which has historically had the effect of stretching its transition periods.
On every level, everything looks impressive. Everything is too fast at first. I’m at the top when I see the game slowing down to create scoring chances. The matches then become more normal, and that’s what allows me to be more relaxed and confident.
-Mavrik Bourque
He is also not the only Stars forward to learn the ropes of an NHL season. While the club was among the oldest in the league just a few years ago, three rookies are playing their first full NHL season in 2024-25 – the others being Logan Stankoven and Oskar Bäck.
The three know each other well since they played last campaign with the American League farm club. It is therefore “together” that they face the ups and downs of the start of their careers, each in their own way.
After leaving a strong impression last year, especially in the playoffs, Stankoven hit the ground running in October, when he was among the favorites for the rookie of the year award. However, he hit a wall offensively: only 5 points in his last 23 games.
His coach does not exclude that the expectations weighed heavily on him. “When the points are no longer there, you start to overanalyze everything and it snowballs,” he said. But right now, he doesn’t think about that anymore. He just wants to play. And it’s very close to exploding again. »
As for Bäck, a tall 24-year-old Swede with a more defensive profile, “he was probably the most consistent” of the three, says Peter DeBoer.
However, the three newcomers are not the only young players in this locker room. Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley, Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson, all key players, range in age from 21-25.
The group of deans, nevertheless, commands respect. No less than nine thirty-somethings have played at least 16 games this season in Dallas. This is what makes Mavrik Bourque say that he evolves within a “fairly quiet” group.
“They seem to have won in the past. Match after match, win or lose, you move on to the next one. It’s not a regular season win that gets these guys excited. This is the ultimate goal. »
With this in mind, on a personal level, Bourque wants to see his offensive production find new life. “Be the player I know I can be to help this team,” he says.
Team that’s already not doing so bad, by the way. But if things could get even better, we can imagine that neither the Stars nor Bourque would complain.