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American Morning

Avalanche Defender Ray Bourque Retires

Aired June 27, 2001 - 09:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LAURA OKMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All this talk in the NBA about youth, but we decided let's go the other way and talk about a little veteran experience this morning because 2 1/2 weeks ago, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ray Bourque finally saw his dream come true, hoisting the Stanley Cup trophy over his head after 22 seasons in the NHL.

Yesterday, the surefire hall of famer rode off into the sunset announcing his retirement as the league's elder statesman; a career nothing short of remarkable.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OKMIN (voice-over): Ray Bourque's final hockey glory came in Colorado, but he spent nearly 21 seasons in Boston, the city to which he'll be forever linked. He first took the ice for the Bruins as a teenager in the 1970s, inheriting Boston's proud hockey legacy while also making it his own. A five-time Norris Trophy winner and 19-time All-Star, Bourque also became master of the power play. He retires as the highest-scoring defenseman in league history, and he did it all while never getting to tip his hat to the past.

RAY BOURQUE, COLORADO AVALANCHE: I think that I respect the game, you know, and I appreciate the game for what it is and what you've got to put into it, and you know, I've always been like that and I always will be.

OKMIN: Only thing Bourque's Boston years lacked was a Stanley Cup. His Bruins reached the finals in 1988 and 1990, losing each time. By the 1999-2000 season, Boston was going backward. Bourque agreed to a trade which landed him with the Avalanche.

HARRY SINDEN, BRUINS' PRESIDENT AND GM: It's come to an end so far as the Bruins are concerned, and I guess we have our memories.

OKMIN: A year later, the Avs were champs which sparked celebrations in Denver and Boston.

Bruins fans never forgot the man they watched become a legend.

BOURQUE: I said it after the game, every guy I've played with here in Boston has a part of that because they really were a big part of my life, and helped me get to this point in my career. Thank you so much, Boston! We love you! OKMIN: When Wayne Gretzky retired, Ray Bourque inherited the Great One's throne as the NHL's statesman and while that may be the highest compliment any hockey player can receive, when Bourque enters the Hall of Fame in 2004, it's the title Stanley Cup champion that he will probably cherish most.

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OKMIN: What a class act. Bourque says he's not sure yet what the future holds for him. As for the Bruins and the Bruins and the Avalanche, however, they both say they plan to retire his number 77 jersey.

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