There were many stories which could have been chosen, from the remarkable season Goaltender Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens enjoyed to the near fatal death of Florida Panthers Forward Richard Zednik and we cannot forget the playoff drive from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but the top news story of the 2007-2008 hockey season had to be the tragic death of Vancouver Canucks Defenseman Luc Bourdon.

Luc was only 21 years old when he died, killed in a motorcycle accident on May 29.He had signed an NHL contract with the Vancouver Canucks three years earlier and was well on his way to becoming a top player in the league.His death was not only a shock to the organization, but was a shock to the hockey world.And so on the day of the NHL draft, which was held in Ottawa, and as the team made their way to announce their first-round pick, they stopped to let the Bourdon family they were in their thoughts.Luc started his rise to the top in the Quebec League and was named twice to represent his country at the World Junior Championships, winning two gold medals for Canada.Although he was still young,the Canucks gave him a chance to prove himself and he did not disappoint.When he hit another player, that player felt it.What the Canucks organization hoped for when they were scouting him had become a dream come true.His career in the NHL would also prove to be a long and unforgetable journey.

The one thing which Luc was very proud of was his hometown and his roots, another Canadian kid who not only loved the sport but also loved where he was born.

Luc was born off the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick and returned there every summer.When he signed his contract with the Canucks, the first thing he did was spend a portion on the kids in his hometown by purchasing hockey equipment.He had always said he wanted to see more kids from this area become a part of the NHL, and this way he would not forget them and they would not forget him.Luc's life was cut short, and was too young to leave this earth, but he touched those whom he came in contact with.Many general managers want to look out for the players they sign, and so there maybe a clause in their contracts stating the player cannot take any unnecessary risks as long as they are playing in the National Hockey League.If this had been a part of Luc Bourdon's contract, he would still be here today.

Luc was young and he made one mistake, where he showed experience in his professional life, he had little experience in the riding of a motorcycle, however, he will be remembered as a caring individual who thought about others before he thought of himself.

Learn more about this author, Kelly Monteith.
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