Lance Bouma

History

2006-07: This was Lance Bouma’s first full season with the Giants (WHL), a 49 game campaign that resulted in eight points (3g+5a). He tallied another three goals and six points in 22 playoff games with Vancouver.

2007-08: The center set several career-highs with the Vancouver Giants (WHL) this season, including games played (71), goals (12), assists (23), points (35) and penalty minutes (93). Expect to see Bouma back for his third installment with the Giants next season.

2008-09: Bouma played his hockey with the Vancouver Giants (WHL) this season, his third full year with the club. In 48 games, the center tallied nine goals and 25 points, along with a career-high 116 penalty minutes. He tallied another 12 points (7g+5a) in 17 postseason games, his best playoff total to date.

2009-10: Bouma experienced a career season in terms of points, although his gains were far more modest. In 57 games, Bouma scored 14 goals and 43 points while captaining the Vancouver Giants. The tenacious checking forward also added 134 penalty minutes (another career high).  His play has helped Vancouver advance to the WHL's Western Conference final, where they face the Tri-City Americans. Bouma lost the last 13 games of the season to a partially torn MCL. Despite the injury, he was able to jump right back into the line-up for the Giants first-round match-up versus the Kamloops Blazers.

2010-11: Bouma had an excellent rookie year with Abbottsford while being called up to play for the Flames on two occasions late in the season. He received playing time as a fourth line checker with Calgary while providing only one assist and a minus one rating in 16 NHL games. The defensively reliable forward returned to help the Heat in their fight for a post season berth after the Flames failed to clinch a playoff spot. The 21-year-old showed some offensive skill, scoring 12 goals with eight assists and a minus 12 rating while taking 53 PIMs (three fighting majors) in 61 AHL games.

2011-12: Bouma re-joined the Flames in January after opening his second pro season with AHL Abbotsford and skated in 27 games for Calgary – missing eight games in March due to an upper body injury. He scored 1 goal with 2 assists and was minus-five with 11 penalty minutes; averaging just over ten minutes of ice time. Playing for Abbotsford he scored 3 goals with 3 assists in 31 games and was minus-nine with 53 penalty minutes. Abbotsford finished second in the West Division.

2012-13: Expected to challenge for a spot in Calgary once the lockout ended, Bouma skated in three games for Flames AHL affiliate Abbotsford in October; suffering a knee injury that required season-ending surgery. He had 1 goal and was an even plus/minus with 2 penalty minutes. The Heat missed the playoffs after finishing fourth in the North Division. Bouma was re-signed to a one-year contract by Calgary as a restricted free agent in July, 2013.

Talent Analysis

Bouma is a hardworking forward who has the versatility to play center or left-wing position. He has solid defensive instincts while playing an agitating, energy role and using his physicality on the fore-check. The hardworking agitator plays an aggressive role with the willingness to fight but occasionally takes the bad, costly penalty at the wrong time. The tough forward has yet to show his offensive skills at the NHL level for the Flames.

Future

Bouma starts off the 2013-14 season on the Flames’ roster due to his impressive play and hard work. The 23-year-old had an excellent training camp and made an impression with coaching staff and management to earn a spot in the starting lineup. It will be up to Bouma to retain this position and if not, he could see an assignment to Abbotsford to fine tune his game. However, Bouma appears dedicated to stay in Calgary and controls the future of his pro career.