Before the season began, Troy Bourke made it his goal to earn recognition as one of the standout pro prospects in the Western Hockey League.
That ambition became reality this week for the 19-year-old Prince George Cougars captain when he was named to the WHL roster for the 2013 Canada-Russia Super Series later this month in his home province of Alberta.
"There's definitely a couple other guys on the team that could be there too, they've been playing really well -- they've been helping me out and it's definitely nice to get rewarded like that," said Bourke, a third-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche in 2012.
"It's going to be good hockey and I'm looking forward to the experience."
Bourke, a right winger, has been told he'll get to play in both Super Series games --Wednesday, Nov. 27 in Red Deer and and Thursday, Nov. 28 in Lethbridge. For his folks back home in Onoway, Alta., northwest of Edmonton, it's a best-case scenario.
"I thought I would only play in the Red Deer game but there's a good chance I'll play in both and I just called my dad and he's pretty excited," said Bourke. "That's a bonus for him and the family."
Bourke ranks second in Cougars' scoring with 19 points, including eight goals, in 20 games.
In 227 career WHL games he's collected 63 goals and 170 points.
