Troy Bourke's apprenticeship as a pro hockey player has reached a new level.
The 20-year-old Prince George Cougar forward has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Avs selected Bourke two years ago in the third round of the NHL draft, 72nd overall. In his fourth season with the Cougars Bourke finished second in team scoring with 85 points, including 29 goals and had a plus-minus ranking of minus-4 in 69 games. He became the Cougars' career leader with 236 points in 272 games.
The Cougars missed the playoffs and Bourke was called up to Colorado's American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland-based Lake Erie Monsters, where he made an immediate impact, collecting three goals and seven points and was a minus-1 in 15 games.
Bourke is eligible to return for another season with the Cougars but whether he comes back for a fifth WHL season will be the decision of the Avalanche. Bourke was unavailable for comment.
