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Living the good life Bourque receives championship ring, says no to return
DENVER (AP) -- Ray Bourque, who retired in June after winning the Stanley Cup in his 22nd NHL season, reiterated Tuesday night that he has no intention of returning to the game. Bourque returned to Denver for the Colorado Avalanche's home opener as the Stanley Cup banner was raised to the rafters of the Pepsi Center in a pregame ceremony. Bourque's No. 77 jersey was retired Thursday in Boston, where he played most of his career. His number will be retired here Nov. 24. When reminded that Mario Lemieux and Michael Jordan both had the itch to return after retiring, Bourque said, "You look at Mario and Michael, they started to get an itch after three years. If that's when I get my itch, I will be 43 and there is no chance." Bourque also received his Stanley Cup ring -- a 14-carat, white gold, diamond-studded ring -- with his Avalanche teammates Sunday night. "Everybody asked me all summer, `Where's your ring?'" he said. "It was great to get it this weekend. The ceremony was very nice, and I got a little emotional. "I will wear it on special nights. I'm not going to wear it every night, that's for sure. My shoulder would probably pop out." The future Hall of Famer said he was enjoying retirement. "For now, I'll just let the dust settle and enjoy the family and do a few things promotional-wise and just skate with my two sons and their teams and go their practices and watch them play," he said. "I've been watching my daughter and my son play soccer. "Hockey is definitely not something that is in the future. Right now, there is nothing going on, and that's the way I want it." Bourque said he especially enjoyed his September. "I didn't miss training camp at all," he said. He watched three games on the opening night of the season and watched part of the Colorado-Pittsburgh game. "I really don't miss anything about it," he said. "I think I really went out on my terms. I'm a 40-year-old retired player now, and it feels good. "Going into last year, I was 99 percent sure it was going to be my last year. Once the playoffs came around, I felt the same way. "As a player, the ultimate goal is to win the Cup. The chase was a long one, but to have it come together like it did was an amazing story. Last year was an unbelievable year that I will never forget and I will cherish forever."
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