Oilers' Bourgault Influenced By NHL Great
Oilers prospect Xavier Bourgault shared which NHL player inspired him most growing up.
Edmonton Oilers top prospect Xavier Bourgault was one of 18 players at the 2023 NHLPA Rookie Showcase asked by ESPN's Greg Wyshynski which NHL player most inspired them growing up. Bourgault's answer was recent retiree and future Hall of Famer Patrice Bergeron.
Bourgault said this to Wyshynski about Bergeron. "A great leader and a great guy. I was watching him a lot when I was growing up. I think he had a hell of a career."
Hearing Bergeron being a player whom Bourgault looked up to is not particularly surprising. Besides being one of the best forwards of his generation, he also is a Quebec native, just like Bourgault.
Bourgault also noted that Bergeron's excellent two-way play is another reason why he respected his game so much. "Bourgault also said to Wyshynski, "I'm a very offensive guy. He's very good in his own zone. So I've tried to take a bit of his game on the defensive side."
There is no question that Bourgault's offensive skill is a primary reason why the Oilers selected him in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. However, with the team already having so many skilled forwards in their top six, it would be excellent for him to become a more complete, two-way player. It would only help his chances to land a bottom-six role on the Oilers sooner rather than later.
Nevertheless, we will need to wait and see if Bergeron's impact on Bourgault helps him blossom into a strong two-way forward in the NHL in the future.