Living up to the Legend
Video: Living up to the Legend
Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - Hockey fans, when you hear the name Ray Bourque you think, Hall of Famer. So imagine the difficulty of being his son and playing the game that he was dominant at? Well that's the challenge for team USA's Ryan Bourque, who's trying to make a name of his own.
Ryan Bourque really wasn't all that interested in hockey until his dad was done playing. He played every sport except hockey growing up. Now at 18, he's one of the stars of Team USA, heading to play at division one powerhouse New Hampshire and hopefully the NHL.
“I'm my own person, my dad had a great career, if I can accomplish half the things that he did, I'd be happy.”
“I really don't think he puts a lot of pressure on himself, his dad is supportive and he enjoys competing.”
Despite his small stature, he's listed at 5'8, Bourque has thrived on the ice and has scouts buzzing about what he can do in the future and thanks to the success of players like Zach Parise, Bourque's status has risen.
“He's going to have to a career in the net level; the game has made room for smaller players.”
“Zach is one of my favorite players, play with grit and intensity. I think those two elements are part of my game.”
“He brings a lot to our team, when he hits the ice; he's making things happen for our hockey team.”
Bourque and team USA return to the ice tomorrow night against the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.
Posted by: WDAY Sports on 4/16/2009 at 2:37 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: fargo, hockey, sports, team, u-18, usa, ushl, wday, world hockey championship
Local Basketball Highlights from the 2009 Season
Local Basketball Highlights from the 2009 Season:
Click HerePosted by: WDAY Sports on 4/08/2009 at 2:45 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: fargo moorhead sports basketball 2009 highlights north dakota minnesota
World Championship Hockey
Video: World Championship Hockey
Fargo, ND (WDAY Sports) - The world’s top hockey prospects are on their way to town tonight for the Under 18 World Championships and WDAY 6's Dom Izzo tells us not even a record flood can keep the excitement down.
Come Thursday, the Urban Plains Center in south Fargo will turn into the center of the hockey world and after a two week battle against the elements; the organizers believe this tournament is starting at just the right time.
“People in this own are going to need a release. Everybody’s excited, had a lot of walkup traffic, everyone's excited about the USA games.”
Urban Plains says that ticket sales have picked up over the past week once the river levels started to decrease and they know what a tournament like this can mean to the city.
“The business in town, the first time in America, and the talent level, how often do we have NHL or pro talent in this town? I think that's why everyone is excited.”
This tournament has an all star team of alums: Ovechkin, Malkin, Kane, and Parise, but the question remains, if I'm not a sports fan, why should I come?
“If you're a real hockey fanatic you're going to see the future of the NHL. If you're just a fan, then you're going to see guys going out there and giving it there all on every single shift.”
Organizers are hoping for a USA-Canada final, and if big crowds come out to the up, they feel it can only help the regular tenants in the building.
“People get exposed to the caliber of hockey at the U-18 and the force that can be a big boost for us.
And Urban Plains and Fargo are hoping for a big boost to the economy.
Posted by: WDAY Sports on 4/07/2009 at 3:33 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Ada-Borup: Title Town
Ada, Minn. (WDAY Sports) - To get to the state tournament is a great accomplishment for a high school team. Now imagine that your school sends four teams to state in one school year. That's what's happening in Ada-Borup these days, who may just change its name to title town.
This scene has become nearly routine for the Ada-Borup Cougars. Yesterday the girl’s basketball team won a second straight State Title. Earlier this year, the football team made state for the first time since 2001 and the volleyball squad finished 3rd at state this fall. And on Friday, the boy’s basketball team joined the group by winning the Section Title to head to state for the first time since 1962.
“It’s amazing being in the halls, in the classrooms. You've got to tip your hat to the parents and students, just a good time to be a cougar right now.”
“People are going to look back and be in awe. Athletically, they've exceeded everyone's expectations.”
“The school is excited right now four sports right now, it's great.”
The seeds for an unbelievable year were planted many months ago.
This summer we thought if all four sports went to state, it's indescribable.”
“I can't see that happening anywhere in the state of Minnesota. It's gotta be rare. These kids are spoiled; the community is spoiled, good luck this spring!”
Ada-Borup plays Cass Lake-Bena on Thursday.
Posted by: WDAY Sports on 3/23/2009 at 11:52 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Tags: ada borup sports high school cougars minnesota
Taking shots at Mike Lee
Video: Taking shots at Mike Lee
Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - Hockey fans in the area have known his name for the past two seasons after leading his team to the State Championship in 2007. Now Roseau native Mike Lee is carrying the force towards a playoff berth. I went one and one with the future St. Cloud Huskie and asked why in the world would anyone want to be a goalie?
“It all started when I was a little kid. I played forward, just like everyone else, grew up and always wanted to hop in the net and rotate every other game and finally got to the squirt level and wouldn't have anything but goalie. Maybe it's the big pads that I like, but I kept growing up, loving being the guy back there, last line of defense.”
Whats the worst nightmare for you? Hardest shot to defend?
“It’s tough when you get in a penalty kill situation and you've got two guys passing the puck up top, and you got to fight thru the screen, and they're going to be tipping pucks here, and trying to get dirty goals. Gotta fight it off.”
Say if I’m coming down on this angle here, you've gotta keep the rebound right in front of you and make sure it's not going to a guy right over here.
“Big thing is try and kick it that way, and then obviously cover up quick and get over to the rebound, just in case there's somebody there.”
Any regrets about not coming back and having a chance of maybe going for another State title?
“A little bit, it's always not playing for the guys, when they came down to Moorhead, and watched them play a big game, it's always tough to see them, but the success we've had and how well we've started to do, it's really made that transition easier.”
Now the real question, how many shots would you let in by a guy like me?
Posted by: WDAY Sports on 2/23/2009 at 3:22 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
Blog Archive: Next »