Bourque Legacy Finds New Life Behind Bruins Bench

Ryan Bourque, son of Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque, is stepping into his first AHL coaching role.

The Providence Bruins announced Wednesday that Bourque will join head coach Ryan Mougenel’s staff as an assistant. The move follows a successful year at Cushing Academy, where Bourque served as head coach of the boys varsity hockey team.

Though this marks his coaching debut at the AHL level, Bourque is no stranger to the league.

A third-round pick by the New York Rangers in 2009, he spent the bulk of his playing career in the AHL with Hartford, Hershey, Bridgeport and Charlotte before retiring in 2020. He made one NHL appearance with the Rangers in 2015.

Bourque’s coaching résumé began to take shape shortly after his retirement. He joined the South Carolina Stingrays — the ECHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals — and later contributed to the U.S. national development program.

He steps into a position previously held by Matt Thomas, who left the organization in April to become the new head coach at the Rochester Institute of Technology, according to Ty Anderson of 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Bourque’s grind through the AHL offers more than just familiarity — it will likely provide a practical understanding of what it takes to climb the pro ladder. Having worn multiple sweaters across the league, Bourque brings a wide-angle view of player growth and system adaptation.

Best of all, he returns to the region where it all started, carrying a name that still resonates across New England hockey — and a coaching résumé that is just beginning to take shape.