Chris Bourque is moving up again in the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
The Hershey Bears legend and recent inductee into the AHL Hall of Fame has been named assistant general manager of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Bourque originally joined the Maple Leafs organization as an amateur scout in 2022, primarily focusing on college free agents. He will serve in his new position under Maple Leafs assistant GM and Marlies GM Ryan Hardy.
Bourque served as a scout for three seasons before being promoted to director of collegiate scouting and director of recruitment last year, two positions he is expected to keep for the 2026-27 campaign alongside his new job with the Marlies.
“Chris has established himself as an important part of our hockey operations staff, and this role reflects the immediate impact he’s had in identifying talent and supporting our player development efforts,” Hardy said in a press release. “Combined with Mike’s leadership, experience and commitment to our players and staff, we have an outstanding leadership group in place to strengthen our player development model and position the Marlies for sustained success.”
The Marlies are the reigning Calder Cup champions after winning their second-ever title in a five-game series victory over the Chicago Wolves. Toronto’s front office has undergone a major summer shakeup with the departure of GM Brad Treliving last March and the subsequent hiring of John Chayka in May.
Bourque, the son of legendary NHL defenseman Ray Bourque, was drafted in the second round of the 2004 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals. He played one year in the AHL with the Portland Pirates before the Capitals switched affiliation to the Bears. He then won his first of three Calder Cups in Hershey at the end of the 2005-06 campaign, also lifting the championship trophy in 2009 and 2010.
The Boston, Massachusetts native recorded 746 career points (251g, 495a) in 794 regular-season AHL games with Portland, Hershey, Providence, Hartford, and Bridgeport. He is the league’s all-time playoff leader in assists (83), tied for third in playoff points (118), and second in postseason games played (138). Bourque’s best year came with the 2011-12 Bears, when he notched 93 points (27g, 66a) in 73 games.
