Vancouver Canucks: Remembering Luc Bourdon 9 years later
It’s been nine years since the Vancouver Canucks tragically lost defenceman Luc Bourdon, and we’ll forever remember a promising life that ended far too soon.
The Vancouver Canucks drafted defenceman Luc Bourdon with the 10th pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and the native of Shippagan, New Brunswick, was on his way to a bright hockey career.
But on May 29th, 2008, the career and life of Bourdon ended under the most tragic circumstances imaginable. Bourdon was riding his newly purchased motorcycle near his hometown, when he crashed into a trailer and died instantly.
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And just like that, the 21-year-old Canucks blueliner was gone.
I still remember my mother picking me up from school to go home for lunch. She told me he had died, and it absolutely shocked and devastated me.
When I came back from lunch, I joined my friends to play soccer. We held a brief moment of silence for him and then continued the extremely difficult day.
Prior to the Canucks’ 2008-09 season home opener against the Calgary Flames, they held a moving tribute for Bourdon:
Throughout the season, the Canucks players and coached wore “L.B.” patches to help us remember the life and career that ended too soon. Bourdon had won two gold medals with Canada at the World Juniors and was to be the next great thing on their blue line.
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I still remember his first NHL goal, and it was supposed to be the first of many for the bright and talented kid:
Bourdon scored six goals and 14 points in 41 games that year. He was the best defensive prospect the Canucks had in years, but it wasn’t just his skill level that made Bourdon so beloved. He was always donning a smile and was always so humble to just be on the ice.
And over the years, the Canucks have made sure that Bourdon remains in their hearts. When Alexandre Burrows‘ scored to eliminate the St. Louis Blues from the 2009 playoffs, his celebration was a tribute to Bourdon:
And even though it’s been nine years since Bourdon has passed, we’ll always remember everything he brought for the Canucks. He embraced every moment of life and reminded us to live every moment, because life is too short and fragile.
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My thoughts and prayers remain with Bourdon, his family and his friends. Gone, but never forgotten.