Canucks defenceman Luc Bourdon died this afternoon after crashing his newly-bought motorcycle head-on into a truck in his hometown of Shippagan, N.B.
“We are deeply saddened by today’s news and on behalf of the entire Vancouver Canucks organization, I would like to extend my sincere sympathies to Luc’s family,” said Canucks general manager, Mike Gillis in a statement released early this afternoon.
Bourdon’s stepmother, Maryse Godin Bourdon, told Metro Vancouver from her Shippagan home that the 21-year-old Canucks prospect was killed around 12:30 p.m.
“He had a very tragic accident with his bike,” she said, adding that Bourdon was pronounced dead at the scene.
“I was there … and it was very bad. We can say nothing.”
Shippagan RCMP have yet to identify the victim of the crash that occurred on a road between Shippagan and Lemeque, N.B.
According to a report, Bourdon hit a transport truck head-on after losing control of his motorcycle.
Bourdon’s Agent, Kent Hughes, said he was a competitive team player who never quit. Hughes first met him when he starred for Team New Brunswick as a 15 year-old at the 2003 Canada Winter Games in Bathurst, N.B.
“He was great. He was a year younger than everybody.”
Hughes learned from another client that Bourdon had just purchased the motorcycle a few days ago.
Bourdon was selected 10th overall by the Canucks in the 2005 NHL entry draft.
Last season he spent time with both the Canucks and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. He scored two goals in 27 games with Canucks.
“Luc was an extremely talented player with a bright future. He brought great passion to the game and was a valued team member on and off the ice. He will be greatly missed,” said Gillis.
Bourdon won gold medals at the 2006 and 2007 as a member of Canada’s world junior hockey team.
Before going pro, he played his junior hockey with the Moncton Wildcats, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and the Val d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
