From Innsbruck via Norway to Bozen: Bozen's new man is an experienced man. © HCI

A defender with ICE past for HC Bozen

On Thursday, HCB Südtirol Alperia signed its first legionnaire for the defense. He is no stranger to the country, having worn the jersey of HC Innsbruck in the past.

July 12, 2024

From: leo

Up until now, the Foxes' defense has included four defenders. The most important positions, i.e. those of the legionnaires, have yet to be filled. HCB sports director Dieter Knoll made the first transfer on Thursday when he signed Simon Bourque. The 27-year-old is not only supposed to stabilize the defense, but also boost the game going forward.

Bourque enjoyed his training at Rimouski Oceanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), which is one of the three best Canadian youth leagues alongside the OHL and the WHL. His qualities did not go unnoticed in the NHL either, which is why the Montreal Canadiens selected him 2015th in the 177 NHL Draft. Bourque finally turned professional in 2017, when he played 46 games for Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League (AHL). However, he failed to make a name for himself. What followed was a move to the university league before he finally decided to turn professional in 2019.

A mobile defender

After a year in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH), he ventured to Europe, where he signed with Bordeaux in France's top division. In 2021, HC Innsbruck signed Bourque. In the colors of the Sharks, the Canadian made exactly 100 appearances in two seasons, scoring an impressive 59 points. Last summer, they parted ways, as Bourque signed with the Norwegian first division team Stavanger Oilers. He scored 39 points in 49 games.

“My girlfriend and I fell in love with these places” Simon Bourque

"I know the area because I played in Innsbruck for two years. My girlfriend and I fell in love with these places, but of course my choice was determined by the ambitions of Bolzano. It is a club rich in tradition, a team that is always difficult to play against and, above all, that always wants to win," Bourque is quoted as saying by the club. He concludes with the following statement: "I know that we will have a great group that will fight for the title. Personally, I want to do everything I can to help my teammates both in defense and in offense."

The previous HCB squad:

Gate: Samuel Harvey, Gianluca Vallini (both confirmed).

Defense: Dylan Di Perna, Enrico Miglioranzi (both confirmed), Jason Seed, Peter Spornberger, Simon Bourque (all new),

Attack: Daniel Mantenuto, Dustin Gazley, Daniel Frank, Luca Frigo, Pascal Brunner, Cristiano DiGiacinto, Brad McClure, Mike Halmo (all confirmed), Anthony Salinitri, Matt Bradley, Michele Marchetti, Giordano Finoro (all new)

Trainer: Glen Hanlon (confirmed)