Born as Raymond Jean on the 28th December 1960 in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada, Ray is a retired professional ice hockey defenseman who spent 23 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), playing for the Boston Bruins (1979-2000), and Colorado Avalanche (2000-2001). During his career, Ray posted numerous records and won several prestigious awards, and was the Stanley Cup Champion with the Avalanche in 2001 season.
Have you ever wondered how rich Ray Bourque is, as of mid- 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Bourque’s net worth is as high as $20 million, earned largely through his successful career as an ice hockey player.
Ray Bourque Net Worth $20 Million
Ray grew up in his hometown, the fourth born in a family of five siblings. Ray started playing hockey professionally for the Trois-Rivières Draveurs in 1976 as he was selected in the third round of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. However, he was traded to Sorel Black Hawks after just 39 games, in which he scored 3 goals and had 20 assists. He played for the Black Hawks until 1979, when he was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 1979 NHL Draft as the 8th overall pick, which marked the start of his career in the NHL. In his first season for the Bruins, Ray already showed both his defensive and offensive skills, earning 65 points in total and winning the Calder Trophy as he was named Rookie of the Year, and also made his first All-Star game appearance, the first defenseman in NHL history selected for All-Star in his rookie season.
Ray continued with excellent plays throughout his career and appeared in every season’s All-Star game until his retirement, 19 in total, 13 as a first-team selection and six as the second team. He became a legend of the Boston Bruins with most games played, most assists and most goals scored. During his career with the Bruins, his net worth also soared as he earned over $20 from contracts he had signed with the franchise over the years. Ray was the recipient of Norris Trophy five times, named as best defensive player in the league in 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991 and 1994. Although he was a great player, he didn’t have support from his team, and in 21 seasons he spent with the Bruins, Ray played only two times in Stanley Cup finals but was unsuccessful.
Due to their inability to win the trophy, Ray demanded a trade from the club, and as a result, he was sent to the Colorado Avalanche before the end of the 1999-2000 season. The following year, Ray won the one trophy that eluded him all these years and became a Stanley Cup Champion, then just 17 days after lifting the trophy, Ray announced his retirement.
He finished his career with 1612 appearances, 410 goals, and 1169 points. Ray was inducted into the Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, while his jersey number 77 was retired by both the Bruins and Avalanche, which made him one of six players, the other five being, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Hull, Gordie How, then Mark Messier and Patrick Roy, whose jersey number was taken out from use by two clubs. To speak further of honors he received, Ray’s name was given to a sports arena in his hometown of Saint-Laurent.
Aside from his successful career on a club level, Ray also played for the Canadian International Ice Hockey team, and has won two gold medals at the Canada Cup and also a silver medal at the same event.
He has now served as a Bruins team consultant since 2005.
Ray has also opened an Italian restaurant, Tresca, which is located in Boston’s North End. This has also increased his wealth.
Regarding his personal life, Ray is married to Christianne with whom he has three children. Their two sons, Christian and Ryan have been involved in hockey and both are currently playing for the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.
Ray is also well-known for his philanthropic activities, as he helps numerous local Boston charity organizations.
