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Hundreds pack rink for hockey player's funeral
Bal Brach, Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, June 02, 2008
Vancouver Canucks defenceman Luc Bourdon, killed in a motorcycle accident last week, was remembered Monday as a shy but courageous and well-liked man who inspired friends, teammates and spectators.
Hundreds of friends, family and peers filled a hockey rink in Shippagan, N.B., Monday afternoon to pay their final respects the budding NHL star, who died in his hometown last Thursday when his motorcycle collided with an oncoming transport truck.
In one of the eulogies, Bourdon was described as a courageous and simple man. The 21-year-old was very tenacious, added the friend.
A memorial service for young Vancouver Canucks prospect Luc Bourdon was held Sunday at Shippagan, N.B. "A very, very sad day for Luc's family," said family frield Guysma Hache.
"You went down your dream road and you never stopped dreaming," added another speaker in French. "For that and more we thank you."
"To the Vancouver Canucks, thank you for believing in Luc. When you selected him, part of the town of Shippagan became fans (of the Vancouver Canucks)."
The tributes continued as Bourdon was described as a diamond. "Altogether we made the diamond shine and glow."
Bourdon's casket was draped with his jersey and white roses.
Vancouver Canucks vice-president and assistant general manager Steve Tambellini described a shy rookie who, through bonding events with the team, "stole the show."
Bourdon was described as a person who cared about the community and made an effort to fit in.
"People chanted his name when he touched the puck," said Tambellini. "We've never had that."
Tambellini ended by saying: "For Luc, it gives us great comfort to know that forever he will be a Vancouver Canuck."
Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund said in a statement read by Tambellini that Bourdon will be "forever missed in the locker-room at GM place."
Naslund said that while Bourdon had made many strides as a player with the NHL team, he grew more as a person.
Representatives from Team Canada and the NHL, along with Vancouver Canucks players, staff, coaches and management, were all in attendance at the funeral.