The Dallas Stars have recalled top forward prospect Mavrik Bourque to the NHL roster (Twitter link). Bourque currently carries a seven-point lead on the AHL’s scoring title, with 26 goals and 72 points through 66 games. It’s a title he’s hung onto all season, battling for it with partner-in-crime Logan Stankoven prior to his recall. Bourque now gets a call-up of his own, marking the first in-season call-up of his career.
Bourque has been electric this season, continuing to dominate AHL scoring after posting 20 goals and 47 points in 70 games as a rookie last season. He formed a formidable duo with Stankoven this season, serving as the star prospect’s centerman and building a tempo that opponents simply couldn’t handle. But Bourque has proven plenty effective without him as well, boasting 17 points in 19 games since Stankoven left the lineup. He’s a feisty centerman that doesn’t shy away from the low slot or corners, even despite his smaller frame. Bourque compliments that with a great understanding of how to exploit space high in the zone, and a strong ability to work east-to-west just as well as he works north-to-south.
Dallas drafted Bourque with the 30th-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Every pick ahead of Bourque has so far made their NHL debut, with 29th-overall Brendan Brisson becoming the latest to break into the league. Bourque will look to continue the order and crack the lineup in Dallas’ final six games of the season.
“Every pick ahead of Bourque has so far made their NHL debut” RIP Rodion Amirov.