Luc Bourdon

Infobox Ice Hockey Player

---

image_size=190px
image_caption = Bourdon on August 15, 2005 at GM Place for Team Canada Hockey Day
position = Defence
shot = Left
nickname =
height_ft = 6
height_in = 3
weight_lb = 211
played_for= Vancouver Canucks
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date|mf=yes|1987|2|16
birth_place = Shippagan, NB, CAN
death_date = death date and age|mf=yes|2008|05|29|1987|2|16
death_place = Lamèque, NB, CAN
draft = 10th overall
draft_year = 2005
draft_team = Vancouver Canucks
career_start = 2006
career_end = 2008

Luc Bourdon (February 16, 1987 – May 29, 2008) was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL) and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. He died at age 21 near his hometown of Shippagan, New Brunswick when his motorcycle collided with a tractor trailer.

After overcoming juvenile arthritis, he was selected third overall in the 2003 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) draft and played for the Val-d'Or Foreurs, Moncton Wildcats, and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. The Canucks drafted Bourdon with their first pick, tenth overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He represented Canada internationally, winning two gold medals and a silver medal at the IIHF World U20 Championship and IIHF World U18 Championship, respectively.

Early life

An only child,citeweb|title=Life and times of Bourdon|url=http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=7d0ede20-8ced-4a67-af98-50ddec616fcc|publisher=The Province|date=2008-05-30|accessdate=2008-06-02] Bourdon was raised by his mother, Suzanne Boucher, in the small francophone community of Shippagan, New Brunswick. At nine years old, he was confined to a wheelchair after being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, which he later overcame. As a teenager, he attended Ecole Marie-Esther Secondary where family members report he was a straight-A student.citeweb|last=Botchford|first=Jason|title=Not forgotten in hometown|url=http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/canucks/story.html?id=195e7305-5acf-4a2b-a237-d8cd8a82da3d|publisher=The Province|date=2008-05-30|accessdate=2008-06-02] Growing up in a fishing town, he worked summers on his uncle's crab fishing boat.

He played bantam with the Peninsule Acadien Lynx and midget with the Miramichi Rivermen, both local minor hockey teams. After being taken third overall in the 2003 QMJHL draft, Bourdon left home when he was 16, returning in the off-season to live with his mother. Upon turning professional, he anonymously donated $10,000 to the local minor hockey association for families who could not afford equipment. His donation was posthumously revealed by his former bantam hockey coach, Gilles Cormier, who now manages the local arena.

Playing career

Bourdon played major junior in the QMJHL for the Val-d'Or Foreurs, the Moncton Wildcats, and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. He was ranked sixth among North American skaters according to the NHL's Central Scouting Service, [citeweb|title=Luc Bourdon - Moncton Wildcats|url=http://www.moncton-wildcats.com/en-ca/history/player.php?PLAYER_ID=30|publisher=Moncton Wildcats|accessdate=2008-05-15] and was drafted in the first round, tenth overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Bourdon was scouted as a good two-way defenceman with significant offensive skills. [citeweb|title=Prospect Luc Bourdon|url=http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/luc_bourdon|accessdate=2008-07-18|last=MacInnis|first=Matt] He was the second Shippagan-born hockey player to be drafted in the NHL, after goaltender Yanick Degrace was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1991.

In his first training camp with Vancouver, Bourdon almost made the team as an 18-year-old,citeweb|last=Willes|first=Ed|title=For Bourdon it's ready, steady, grow | url = http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=7129088e-3a1b-4ab5-b7d6-7ac99b10143d | publisher="Vancouver Province"|accessdate=2008-02-29] but instead was returned to the QMJHL. He began the 2005–06 season with the Foreurs and was traded mid-season to the Wildcats, who were hosting the 2006 Memorial Cup, in exchange for Ian Mathieu-Girard, Jean-Sébastien Adam, a fourth round pick in 2007 and a first round selection in 2008. [Citeweb|title=Bourdon trade made official|url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3255181|date=2006-01-04|accessdate=2008-07-19] Shortly after the trade, Bourdon injured his ankle, suffering a fractured fibula, high and low sprains, and a second degree ligament tear. Although he returned to join Moncton in the playoffs, doctors told him that it would take two years to fully recover. He managed a full recovery after one year, but his turning ability and backwards skating sometimes appeared weaker. [cite news | url = http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/canucksprovincestory.html?id=b6a3e596-cc79-4ee2-a9e2-a90bc82efdf3&k=42827 | title = Bourdon lagging behind | last = Botchford | first = Jason | publisher = "The Province" | date = 2007-09-21 | accessdate = 2008-07-24] Competing in the Memorial Cup, he reached the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) final with the Wildcats, who lost 6–2 to the Quebec Remparts.

After signing a three-year contract with the Canucks on May 4, 2006, [Citeweb|title=League names finalists for MVP|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/hockey/2002973017_nhl05.html|publisher=Seattle Times|accessdate=2008-07-19|date=2008-05-05] Bourdon earned a spot on the team's 2006–07 opening roster. He played his first NHL game on October 10, 2006 against the Minnesota Wild,cite web | url = http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=22423 | title = Remembering Luc Bourdon | publisher = NHL.com | accessdate = 2008-07-18] but after playing nine games, he was sent to the QMJHL for further development. [citeweb|title=Bourdon back to junior; Coulombe called|url=http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=183419|publisher=TSN|accessdate=2008-07-19|date=2006-11-08] Midway through 2006–07, he was traded in the QMJHL again, this time from Moncton to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. As a Screaming Eagle, Bourdon lost in the QMJHL semi-final against his former team, Val-d'Or. When the Canucks did not qualify for the playoffs, they sent Bourdon to play five games for the Manitoba Moose, who were in the middle of the AHL playoffs. [citeweb|title=Luc of the draw|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Vancouver/2007/11/06/4634885-sun.html|publisher=CANOE|accessdate=2008-07-19|date=2007-11-06] When counting his participation in the 2007 World Junior Championships, Bourdon played for five different teams in one season.

Initially failing to make the Canucks starting roster out of training camp, Bourdon began the 2007–08 season with the Manitoba Moose. However, because of a series of injuries among the Canucks' defencemen throughout the season, Bourdon was called up on several occasions. Bourdon scored his first goal on November 16, 2007 against goaltender Niklas Bäckström in a 6–2 win over the Minnesota Wild. [citeweb|title=Canucks break out|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071117.wspt-nhl-canucks-wild-16/GSStory/GlobeSports|publisher=Globe and Mail|accessdate=2008-07-19|date=2007-11-17] Bourdon finished the season with two goals and a plus/minus rating of +7 in 27 games. His other goal came on January 31 against Karri Ramo of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

As a young and promising player, Bourdon was regularly mentioned in rumours of trades for more offense at the forward positions. [citeweb|title=Capital calamity for Leafs|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2008/01/25/4793379-sun.html|publisher=CANOE|last=Hornby|first=Lance|accessdate=2008-07-19|date=2008-01-25] Most significantly, he was speculated to be part of a package in exchange for Lightning forward Brad Richards. [citeweb|title=Canucks were unwilling to mortgage|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=362557|publisher=Canadian Press|accessdate=2008-07-19|date=2008-02-27] Although Bourdon had a powerful shot, he did not play defense responsibly enough to earn a regular spot on the roster. [citeweb|title=Bourdon puts worries behind him|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Vancouver/2007/11/09/4643065-sun.html|publisher=CANOE|accessdate=2008-07-19|date=2007-11-09] He began to show signs of improvement and maturity as the Canucks used him more in the 2007–08 season.

International play

Bourdon made his international debut representing Team Canada in the 2005 World Under-18 Championships, earning one assist in a silver-medal effort.

In 2006, Bourdon competed in his first of two World Junior Championships in British Columbia. Although he had not yet played a game for the Canucks, he received significant support from the hometown crowds in Vancouver. He led all defencemen in scoring with six points in six games and was named to the tournament's all-star team. Upon winning gold, Bourdon returned to Shippagan and showcased his medal at a local arena to crowds of supporters.

At the 2007 World Juniors in Sweden, Bourdon scored the game-tying goal in the third period of a 2–1 shootout win over the U.S. in the semi-final. [citeweb|title=Another North American showdown|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080103.wsptrival3/GSStory/GlobeSports|publisher=Globe and Mail|accessdate=2008-07-19|date=2008-01-03|last=Wharnsby|first=Tim] In total, Bourdon picked up two goals and two assists in six games as Canada won another gold medal.

Death

Bourdon was killed instantly in a motorcycle collision in Lamèque, New Brunswick, [citeweb|last=Botchford|first=Jason|title=Family 'crushed' by Bourdon's death|url=http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=6541ae02-d3fc-4bc7-9c55-b99d3bcca57b|publisher=Canwest News Services|date=2008-05-29|accessdate=2008-05-29] near his hometown of Shippagan, on May 29, 2008, when he hit a tractor-trailer after losing control of his bike and crossing the center line. [cite news| url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3417414 | title=Canucks rookie Bourdon, 21, killed in motorcycle crash | publisher=Associated Press | date=2008-05-29 | accessdate=2008-05-29] cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=e353567d-ab15-4c74-9080-2421502be665 | title=Bourdon's death saddens hometown fans, family | publisher=Vancouver Sun | date=2008-05-29 | accessdate=2008-05-29] Environment Canada showed winds gusting to more than 50 km/h in the area at the time of the accident. The RCMP stated that Bourdon's inexperience with motorcycles may have been a factor in the crash.cite news | url = http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=239260 | title = Penguins' Letang Loses Best Friend In Bourdon | publisher = TSN | date = 2008-05-30 | accessdate = 2008-05-30]

Bourdon's agent, Kent Hughes, stated that he never knew about his client's new hobby (motorcycles). "I had no idea," he explained to CKNW in Vancouver. "Another client of ours, Kris Letang, said Luc let him know he was riding his dad's motorcycle with some friends a week or two ago. I have since been told – though I don't know – that he actually bought a motorcycle two days ago". [cite news| url=http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=239196 | title=Canucks blueliner Bourdon killed in motorcycle crash | publisher=TSN.ca | date=2008-05-29 | accessdate=2008-05-29] Maryse Bourdon, Luc's step-mother, said he had purchased the motorcycle about three weeks before. Letang, Bourdon's close friend and former roommate from junior hockey, planned to buy a motorcycle after Bourdon told him about his; because of the crash, he has decided against it. [cite news | url = http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=239260 | title = Penguins' Letang loses best friend in Bourdon | publisher = TSN | date = 2008-05-30 | accessdate = 2008-07-18]

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings observed a moment of silence in Bourdon's honour before game four of the 2008 Stanley Cup Final.Cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid=364903&page=NewsPage&service=page|title=One win to go: Red Wings beat Penguins 2-1 in Game 4 of Stanley Cup |accessdate=2008-07-21|publisher=NHL.com|year=2008|author=Canadian Press] During the 2008 NHL Draft, the Canucks management wore guitar pins to remember Bourdon since he was an avid guitarist. Because of the popularity of the pins, the Canucks are considering marketing them to a wider audience. Plans are in the formative stages but proceeds from the pins' sale could go towards a scholarship fund in Bourdon's honour. [cite news | url = http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=e9deb9a7-590a-4d51-b337-3dc8286a2b2b | title = Guitar pin making noise in memory of Luc Bourdon | last = Willes | first = Ed | publisher = "The Province" | date = 2008-06-22 | accessdate = 2008-07-18]

At the Canucks' 2008-09 NHL season home opener against the Calgary Flames, the Canucks honoured Bourdon with a brief pre-game ceremony. Bourdon's family was presented with his last game-worn jersey, given by the fan who won the jersey during an annual charity event the previous season. Afterwards, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider performed "Big League" during the video tribute. Commemorative pins were handed out to fans attending the game and will be worn throughout the season by General Motors Place hosts. The Canucks will also be wearing "LB" on their helmets this season in memory of Bourdon. At GM Place, the Luc Bourdon Wall of Dreams was established to commemorate Bourdon. [citeweb|title=Vancouver Canucks to Honour Luc Bourdon|url=http://canucks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=380940|accessdate=2008-09-02|date=2008-09-02|publisher=Vancouver Canucks] Cite web|url=http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i-E-0uCiNPdVOX2f49mWJHJxAQDg|title=Canucks remember Luc Bourdon with pre-game tribute, unveil memorial wall|accessdate=2008-10-09|publisher=Canadian Press|year=2008|author=Canadian Press]

On October 7, The Manitoba Moose announced they will honour Bourdon with a video tribute on the Moose home opener on October 10. Players will all wear number #4 Bourdon jerseys during the warmup, and “#4 LB” patches will be worn on the jerseys of players all season. [citeweb|title=Moose open 13th regular season friday with tribute to teammate|url=http://www.moosehockey.com/news/press_releases2.php?press_id=1497|publisher=Manitoba Moose]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

References

External links

*nhlprofile|8471684
*hockeydb|73268
*legendsofhockey|21629

Persondata
NAME= Bourdon, Luc
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Professional ice hockey player
DATE OF BIRTH= February 16, 1987
PLACE OF BIRTH= Shippagan, New Brunswick, Canada
DATE OF DEATH=May 29, 2008
PLACE OF DEATH=Shippagan, New Brunswick, Canada