Nashville Predators sign prospects Gabriel Bourque and Charles-Olivier Roussel

From the Nashville Predators:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2009 draft picks Gabriel Bourque (gah-BREE-ehl BOHRK) and Charles-Olivier Roussel (CHAR-uhlz-OH-lihv-ee-ay roo-SEHL) to three-year entry-level contracts.

Bourque, 19 (9/23/90), split the 2009-10 season between Baie-Comeau and Moncton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, posting 52 points (16g-36a) and 98 penalty minutes in 55 games. A 5-9, 185-pound left wing, he also earned a silver medal with Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where he tied for seventh in the tournament in assists (6) and tied for 11th in points (9).

Drafted 132nd overall (fifth round), in the 2009 Entry Draft, Bourque has nine points (7g-2a) in 11 playoff games for the Moncton Wildcats, who are preparing to take on Drummondville in the QMJHL Semifinals.

Roussel, 18 (9/13/91), amassed 48 points (14g-34a) in 60 games for the QMJHL's Shawinigan Cataractes in 2009-10, finishing eighth among league defensemen in goals and points. The 6-1, 201 blueliner also ranked among the Top 10 at the position in assists (tied for ninth), power-play goals (third, 12) and game-winning goals (tied for third, 4). Like Bourque, the St. Eustache, Que., native played for Team QMJHL in the 2009 Subway Super Series, and participated in Canada's 2009 National Junior Team Development Camp. Selected 42^nd overall (second round) last summer, Roussel was the youngest player selected in the 2009 Entry Draft after being named a Second Team QMJHL All-Star in 2008-09.

With Shawinigan's season complete, Roussel has joined the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) for the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs.

These guys are not likely to suit up for AHL playoff action, but it's good to get them in the fold. Both have potential to become good, all-around pros.