Bourgault is a skilled and intelligent attacker who showcases creativity and high-end offensive tools. The winger is an incredible puckhandler with the ability to beat any defender, or even split the defense right through the middle lane. His puck control allows him to play through traffic and escape traps with ease. Adding his tremendous footwork and lateral agility to the mix, Bourgault becomes a highly dangerous threat in tight spaces. He’s skilled in puck protection, keeping the puck out of reach with his slick hands and using his body as a shield along the boards. His high-end puck skills can also be seen through his smooth pass reception abilities, which allow for clean, efficient transition. Bourgault is a splendid skater who has developed a liking towards using crossovers to build up speed on the outbreak and attack defenses with different angles and deceptive cuts. His quick feet are evident on these accelerations, but he could add even more power and explosiveness on his inside foot pushes to generate additional speed. Despite the ability to create space for himself, Bourgault is a generous passer, willing and looking to get his teammates involved in the play at all time. He will make the simple pass every time he has the occasion. Bourgault’s play without the puck is an indicator of his advanced situational awareness. He’s able to be a pass option for teammates where his approach to puck support is less about simply getting open and more about speed and timing. He is regularly able to support his linemates by moving toward the puck carrier to be a high percentage pass option. His play can seem underwhelming at times through his simplicity but he is extremely effective at driving the play up the ice and establishing the offensive cycle. Bourgault can create his own scoring chance in a highlight-reel fashion, but he often trades those riskier solo carries for fluid counterattacks. Bourgault’s positioning translates fairly well to the defensive side of the puck as well, though it is a bit more inconsistent in this area and sometimes misses his assignment in hopes of an early zone exit. He needs to learn to adapt to the situation and ensure that he covers up for his teammates when there is a misread on anyone’s part.

– FCHockey’s 2021 NHL Draft Guide