Everybody Loves Raymond

Former Boston Bruin defenseman Ray Bourque may have won his Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, but there was no doubt his heart remained in Boston.

There were emotional scenes when Bourque carried the trophy around the ice after the Avalanche won the title last June. Bourque’s return to Boston was less emotional and more frenzied.

Bourque, who played for the Bruins from 1979-2000, had his No. 77 retired by the Bruins in a ceremony before Thursday’s season opener. He was traded to the Avalanche during the 1999-2000 season and was a key component to Colorado’s Stanley Cup-winning team.

“It is so good to be home,” Bourque said to cheers of the 17,565 fans at the FleetCenter.

“I felt a little nervous coming out tonight. Then I realized that I’m among friends.”

Bourque, who retired after last season, ranks eighth on the all-time NHL scoring list with 1,570 points.

Fans were there for Bourque, but took time to boo NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Bruin and FleetCenter officials during the gift-presentation ceremony.

But Bourque left fans cheering with his final comments.

“I always said when I retired that I would be able to look back on things I accomplished,” Bourque said.

“I keep seeing snapshots in my mind of moments, and who is in every one? You, the fans.”

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Jeff Friesen scored the first goal for the Ducks. Matt Cullen slipped him a pass from behind the net and Friesen buried a one-timer to tie the score, 1-1, 1 minute 46 seconds into the second period.

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Coach Bryan Murray named Steve Rucchin and Oleg Tverdovsky assistant captains, with Paul Kariya remaining as captain.

“They have both been here and understand the organization,” the first-year coach said.

“They are both impact players on this team. This gives us three players in leadership roles with excellent work ethics.”

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Left wing Dan Bylsma, voted an assistant captain by his teammates a year ago, was a healthy scratch in the opener. German Titov took Bylsma’s spot on the fourth line and penalty-killing unit.

Left wing Denny Lambert and defenseman Antti-Jussi Niemi were also healthy scratches.

Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, defenseman Niclas Havelid and right wing Jim Cummins, all on injured reserve, are on the trip.

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The Ducks have lifted the blackout of all their road games this season, which will enable fans with national television packages or satellite dishes to watch road games that are not broadcast on Channel 9 or Fox Sports Net 2.