Sean Semmer/Patriot News
The Hershey Bears, a division of the American Hockey League of the Washington Capitals, announced Saturday that the team will retire the number 17 jersey during the 2022-23 season to forward Chris Burke, son of great NHL player Ray Burke.
Drafted by the Capitals with the 33rd overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Bourque failed to break into the NHL squad during his professional career (he played 51 games for three NHL clubs), but he spent parts of nine seasons during his career with Chocolate and White helping the club win Three Calder Cup titles in 2006, 2009 and 2010.
The Bears posted a video of Hershey Bears VP of Hockey Operations (and former Bourque teammate) Bryan Helmer calling the Boston, Massachusetts native with the news.
☎️ The moment I inform Brian Helmer @cbourque17 That his number will be stuck forever in the rafters of the GIANT Center.
Chris Porky Jersey Retirement Night – Coming on 01/14/23 pic.twitter.com/xesZgaXCtB
– Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 6, 2022
The ceremony, which will take place on January 14, 2023, will be the first event of its kind to be honored with Hershey’s since the Bears family added a photo of alumni Ralph Keeler to the already uploaded No. 3 banner for Frank Mathers. Only one other player in franchise history, the late Mike Nikoluk (who spent 14 seasons wearing the Bears jacket), was honored only with the retirement of a number of players.
A letter from CB17 himself to Bear Nation. See you 01/14/23. pic.twitter.com/iZUreFAw4l
– Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) August 5, 2022
Burke played a total of 604 regular season games for Hershey, ranks fifth in franchise history with 586 points (196 goals, 390 assists), is the only player in team history to have led the AHL in scoring on two occasions, and has appeared on five of six AHL All-Star career matches as a member of the Bears, and en route to the above three Calder Cups, ended as the Bears’ playoff top scorer.
Helmer, who has led the Bears to the last two editions of the Calder Cup, said in a statement:
“Chris Burke is one of the greatest players to ever wear chocolate and white, and it is only fitting that he elevate his number 17 among the best players in our organization’s rich history. Chris is synonymous with the success that the Bears enjoyed during his playing days, and the influence he made in Chocolatetown continues to live on. We We are excited to be able to honor his legacy with his friends, family and fans on January 14th.”
Bourque played 51 NHL games with the Caps, Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins, scoring two goals and eight points. He retired in April, and was the 20th all-time scorer in the AHL.
We are honored to join the list of legendary figures in the rafters in Chocolatetown! pic.twitter.com/yzD5IR4GiE
– Chris Bourque (@cbourque17) August 6, 2022
By Michael Fleetwood
