The Hockey News
THN Archive: Ray Bourque wanted to win a Cup — and a challenge
It shocked the hockey world when Ray Bourque requested a trade from the Boston Bruins where he'd spent his entire career. But the Colorado Avalanche was not the first team the 39-year-old elite defenseman wanted to go to — and he didn't deny that.
"One is obvious. I've never won a Stanley Cup and it's the one thing I haven't accomplished yet. I asked to go to a contender," Bourque told The Hockey News' Eric Duhatschek after the trade. "The second reason is, at this point in my career, I need a challenge."
Then Bruins' GM Harry Sinden entertained options from the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, along with the Avalanche. Bourque told him he preferred to stay closest to his family in Boston and ended up the farthest from there.
Sinden finally made a deal with Colorado on March 7, 2000 — Bourque and forward Dave Andreychuk for Brian Rolston, defenseman Martin Grenier, forward Samuel Pahlsson and a first-round draft pick.
More on how the five-time Norris Trophy-winner ended up in the Centennial State can be read in THN's Archive March 24, 2000 - Vol. 53, issue 28. And remember when Marty McSorely was charged with assault with a weapon after whacking Donald Brashear in the head with his stick? That issue covered that whole fallout.
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