advertisement

Getting to know new Blackhawks forwards DeBrincat, Bouma

Our series on the eight new Blackhawks continues today with forwards Lance Bouma and Alex DeBrincat.

The Hawks signed Bouma to a one-year deal in the off-season to give the team more grit and attitude. He has delivered plenty of that and is a big part of what Joel Quenneville calls "the energy line." Bouma, who has dished out 770 hits in 316 NHL games, is easy to talk to and much different off ice than he is on it … as you'll see.

DeBrincat is the 19-year-old phenom who tore up the OHL for three seasons. He impressed so much during training camp that coaches had to keep him. While DeBrincat is quiet, he's almost always smiling and seems to be enjoying the first months of what the Hawks hope is a long and successful NHL career.

The ins and outs of Lance Bouma:From: Provost, Alberta

Started playing when he was: 4 years old

How you got started: "Well, my brother's team didn't have enough players. So that's basically how I got started. He asked me to play and I jumped all over it."

Favorite hockey memory: First game in the NHL. "It was just a really cool experience. I had a bunch of family there. A dream come true."

You seem so low key in the locker room. Do you have a switch that turns on at game time? "I think a lot of guys do. For me, yeah, I'm mostly easy-going off the ice, but when I get on the ice I'm a little bit different. It doesn't take much to get me going and get me a little fired up."

Favorite movie: Step Brothers. Favorite food: Steak

Favorite music: "I'm pretty spread out. I listen to a little bit of everything. Country, hip hop, rap."

Team you grew up rooting for: Edmonton Oilers

Favorite player growing up: Steve Yzerman.

Most mischievous thing you did as a kid: "I lived in the country growing up, so we'd always be out there doing stuff. We had BB guns, things like that. A lot of times we'd shoot the wrong birds maybe (laughs). My mom would just get mad at us because we'd shoot the birds that she liked around the yard. They were nice birds so she'd get mad at that."

The ins and outs of Alex DeBrincat:Started playing when he was: 4 years old

Who inspired you: His brother

Favorite hockey memory: Winning the OHL championship last year. "It's hard to explain. We won in overtime and so there was a lot of excitement there. It's hard to put into words."

Favorite food: Sushi

Favorite movies: Miracle and Mighty Ducks

Favorite music: Country

Team you grew up rooting for: Detroit Red Wings

Favorite player growing up: Steve Yzerman and Pavel Datsyuk. "(Yzerman) was the guy in Detroit. He was the leader and brought them to a few Stanley Cups. I just like watching him play."

- John Dietz

Meet the new Blackhawks: Tommy Wingels

Chicago Blackhawks center Lance Bouma, here celebrating a goal against Arizona, is known for his scoring and his physical play. He has played more than 300 games as a pro, totaling 70 points and 187 penalty minutes. Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.