The Bourdon Effect

May 29, 2008 will always be the day I remember waking to the tragic news of Canucks defenseman Luc Bourdon being dead. He had apparently taken his motorcycle out for a ride when he lost control and hit a tractor trailer truck;  He was 21.

Bourdon brought so much promise to the Canucks. He was viewed as a future number one defenseman and seemed to have all the attributes needed to succeed in the game. Bourdon was chosen 10th overall in 2005, the same draft as Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Carey Price and Gilbert Brule, just to name a few. It was a deep draft and being taken in the top 10 was surely an honour for him.

Shortly after taking over as Canucks GM in 2008, Mike Gillis had to deal with the aftermath of this tragic loss and go forward without Bourdon, even though I’m sure Gillis had him penciled in on his master plan that season.

The NHL took the loss hard as did friends of Bourdon in Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang and Canucks teammate Alexandre Burrows. For his part, Burrows has dedicated his career to the memory of Luc, and stated as much after his game 7 winning goal against Chicago, he knew Luc was with him.

This has been a magical ride for the Vancouver Canucks this season as the have accomplished more than could have been imagined. Even though this team has a stated goal of winning this for Manny Malhotra, who had the terrible run in with an errant puck back on March 16. Many people felt Malholtra may never play again. This season can also be dedicated to Luc Bourdon, for you know he surely would have been a part of this had he still been alive.

Alex Burrows is playing the best hockey of his career in these playoffs, thee for timely goals and reminiscent of Geoff Courtnall in 1994. He owes it all to his good friend Luc Bourdon. Though Luc may not be with us, his spirit certainly is and sometimes that drive a player gets to honour someone propels them into stardom. Maybe this is what we are seeing form this Canucks team, a will to win from outside sources. Luc Bourdon may only have played only a handful of games in a Canucks uniform, but maybe just maybe his presence is now being felt in the hearts, minds, and on the sticks of this group.

RIP Luc Bourdon; May your memory always be present.