Fresh off a nail-biting first round victory over the Providence Bruins, winning their best 3-out-of-5 series in overtime of game five, the Hartford Wolf Pack look to continue their Calder Cup run as they face off in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Hershey Bears. The Wolfpack are lead by Chris Bourque, formerly a Hershey Bear himself, who brings a wealth of experience and playoff success to Hartford as a three-time Calder Cup Champion.

The 29-year old Bourque, who returned to the AHL with Hartford this season after spending last season split between Kazan Ak-Bars of the KHL and Biel of the Swiss-A league, lead the Wolf Pack with 29 goals and 66 points in 73 games, while playing an integral role in the team’s leadership group donning an ‘A’ on his sweater.

Bourque was heavily relied on not only to generate offense for the Wolf Pack, but also plays an important role off the ice with the New York Rangers prospects developing in the American League with Hartford. Bourque relishes the opportunity to serve as a role model to his teammates. “I do enjoy the role that I play”, says Bourque. “I’m an older player now with more experience for these younger guys coming in to learn from.  I like to help these guys with their development.”

Bourque reflects on entering his career with Hershey and reminisces on his positive experiences with veteran players that helped his transition to professional hockey. “I remember when I was young coming into the league with Hershey, I had some great guys to look up to. They really helped me become the player that I am today. I think for guys to have success, they have to have success in the American League before they can jump to the NHL.”

In addition to his experiences in the AHL and overseas, Bourque has had opportunities at the NHL level, having been recalled on a number occasions, with 51 games split between the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins. The former second round pick of the Capitals uses that experience to help younger players looking to make the jump full-time to the best league in the world. “There are a lot of guys I played with in Hershey who are now playing in the NHL.  I think that’s a huge role in the American League having good older guys that can lead the way.” Bourque played alongside a core of future Washington Capitals early in his tenure with Hershey, including Eric Fehr, Mike Green, and Brooks Laich, along with Anaheim’s Tomas Fleischmann and Edmonton’s Boyd Gordon.

It was a competitive race down the final stretch this season between the Wolf Pack and rival-Syracuse Crunch for the AHL’s Northeast Division, which Hartford ultimately clinched with a three-point advantage. Despite advancing to the post-season for the first time since 2011-12, it was a grind to the finish line. “We were in the middle of the pack all year grinding away and just trying to get as many points as possible. It’s been like that all season, you have your peaks and valleys.”

One of the peaks of Bourque’s season, at least from an individual perspective, was the opportunity to participate in the AHL All-Star Classic, which took place in Utica, NY. Playing in his third All-Star Game, with the previous two as a member of the Hershey Bears, Bourque spoke highly of the experience. “It was great. They did a really good job”, says Bourque after his first visit to Utica. ”The rink had a great atmosphere. You could really tell that the fans love hockey there. It was definitely the loudest All-Star Game that I’ve played in. I’ve never played a regular season game there, but I can imagine how loud it gets. Every (All-Star Classic) has its own special moments, but this one was really enjoyable.”

Part of Chris’ decision to sign with the New York Rangers organization last summer and join their AHL-affiliate in Hartford was the unique opportunity to play alongside his brother, Ryan, a 2009 third round pick of the Rangers. Despite the five-year age difference, the two were close growing up and could only dream of the opportunity to be teammates at the pro level one day. “Ever since we were young kids, if we had the opportunity to play together, obviously we would love that. The opportunity came last summer when the Rangers offered me a contract. It was a no-brainer for me to sign here. It’s been awesome.”

Ryan has a lot to thank for his older brother, as he has afforded him a place to stay this season. “We live together actually”, says Chris. “We rented a house this year, my wife and I, and my son. My brother lives in the basement.” The brothers are also roommates on the road and sit next to one another in the locker room. “It’s been a great experience and definitely something that we’ll remember for life.”

Ryan had a brief stint at the NHL level early in his career, highlighted by a late-season call-up in April where he made his debut against the Ottawa Senators. He is currently with the Rangers as a 13^th forward in their second round series against the Capitals. “I love when he does well”, says Chris speaking of his brother. “We really enjoy playing together and seeing the success that we’ve built together. It’s been a good experience.”

When it comes to family, the Bourque’s are a tight knit bunch. Chris and his wife, Kim, recently welcomed their second child with the birth of their daughter Harlow. Chris parlays much of the same advice he received from his father and 22-year NHL veteran Ray Bourque, about the game of hockey to son, Kingston. “My son really lights up when he goes into the locker room and always wants me to bring him on the ice”, Chris says with a grin. “It’s great. I’m not really forcing anything on him. He really likes hockey, likes going to the games, likes being around the guys. It’s really fun to see how he reacts when he’s around the guys.”

Chris is very close with his dad, and despite being in Hartford, talks to him after almost every game. “It’s just kind of become a routine, where we just talk about the game. Whenever he goes to the game, we talk about how I played and what I could have done better. It’s definitely a good relationship. We’re a very close family and spend a lot of time together.”

The former Jack A. Butterfield Trophy Winner as AHL Playoff MVP in 2009-10 and John B. Sollenberger Trophy Winner for scoring the most points in the 2011-12 playoffs knows a thing or two about the uphill battle that comes with the nature of the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs. “I’ve been really lucky to have been on some really good teams”, says Bourque. “In my first year we won it, then we won it back-to-back years in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Those are my best moments I’ve had in hockey. Winning the Calder Cup.”

The Calder Cup, which was first presented in 1937 and is the second oldest awarded trophy behind Lord Stanley’s mug, is one of sport’s most difficult trophies to capture. “Anyone who’s won it will tell you it’s not easy to do. It’s an absolute grind in the playoffs. It’s something I’ll never forget. Those guys on the team become your best buddies for life. The grind that you go through with them and finally winning it at the end is really a feeling that you can’t describe until you’ve done it.”

As Chris and his teammates continue their second-round series against the Bears and look to make a deep run in this year’s edition of the Calder Cup Playoffs, he looks back on the fond memories he has had hoisting the Calder Cup. “Those were really good moments that I had in Hershey and they will always have a special place in my heart.”