Bob Beers, color analyst for Boston Bruins broadcasts on WEEI-AM and a part-time defenseman for the AHL Providence Bruins, said it was a somber day when 21-year Boston defenseman Ray Bourque was traded to Colorado earlier this week.

“It was sad to see him go. It didn’t have to happen,” said Beers, a former teammate of Bourque. “It was a real honor and a privilege to play with him. He was more of a quiet guy. He said what needed to be said when it was needed to be said. He came to play every night. He worked hard all the time and was a solid role model. He led by example. He was very professional.”

Beers, an All-American defenseman when he played for the University of Maine, said a lot of sports people in the Boston area “wanted him to take some shots at management on his way out. But he didn’t. He’s a classy guy.”

The Bruins broadcaster said Bourque definitely would have stayed in Boston if the team had stayed in the playoff hunt, but it didn’t, and Bourque wanted a shot at the Stanley Cup.

Beers traces the Bruins problems back to the offseason when veterans Ken Baumgartner, Tim Taylor, Dave Ellett, Grant Ledyard, and Dimitri Khristich were let go by the Bruin management and goalie Byron Dafoe was a long-term holdout due to a contract dispute.

“They were a big part of the hockey club last year and even though three of them didn’t play that much, they were influential [in a positive nature] in the locker room,” said Beers.

The season-ending wrist surgery to standout center Jason Allison was another big blow.

“There has been a lot of finger-pointing,” said Beers.

Boston made it to the Eastern Conference semifinals a year ago.

Beers feels the Bruins underestimated the value of Taylor and pointed out that Khristich was not only Boston’s leading goal scorer with 29 a year ago, but he also complemented linemate Sergei Samsonov, who hasn’t been nearly as effective without him.

On the positive side, Beers said the trade that sent Bourque and veteran winger Dave Andreychuk to Colorado may work out nicely for Boston. The Bruins received 27-year-old Brian Rolston, 22-year-old Samual Pahlsson, both forwards; 19-year-old defenseman Martin Grenier, and a first-round draft pick either this year or next season.

“Rolston has had a couple of good years. He had 24 goals for New Jersey last year. Pahlsson would have been with Colorado this season, but he signed to play one more year for his Swedish Elite League team. They say he’s a can’t-miss prospect who is very skilled. Grenier is a project. He is 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and is tough. But he could turn out to be a real good one.

“And the Bruins also get a first-round pick [to go with the one they already have].”

Beers added that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins traded another veteran before the trading deadline on Tuesday. He said it also wouldn’t shock him if coach Pat Burns was fired in the offseason.

Reed enjoying coaching stint

Up until a couple of years ago, Bangor’s Mark Reed was playing in the Big South Tournament for his Liberty University (Va.) basketball team at this time of year.

The baseball season was also on the horizon for him.

Reed has recently concluded his second season coaching the Brewer junior varsity boys basketball team: following an 11-7 inaugural year with an 11-6 mark this year.

The son of Bangor High School boys varsity basketball coach Roger Reed said he has definitely been stung by the coaching bug, but he still misses his college days.

“The difficult part about getting into the coaching side of it is that I’ve realized that I miss playing a lot more than I thought I would,” said Reed. “The toughest part of coaching is you don’t have control of what happens on the floor the way you did as a player. You have to trust the fact you prepared the kids well for whatever situation comes up.”

He said it was quite an adjustment last year in particular.

“I had competed at such a high level as far as the preparation that went into every game and the competition [level] during the games,” said Reed. “Every possession was critical.”

“But I’ve had to keep things in perspective. You’re dealing with 14-, 15-, 16-year-old kids. It has been a challenge. Some kids don’t come ready to play on certain nights and it can be frustrating. But there are so many issues kids are dealing with at this age,” added the 25-year-old Reed.

Reed said he has thoroughly enjoyed coaching and, “I don’t see it as something I would be willing to give up easily.”