This is the tragic story of Luc Bourdon.
The two teamed up to lead Canada to back to back World Junior championships gold medals in 2006 and 2007, where Bourdon scored the famous goal against Team USA to force overtime before a thrilling victory.. And both were destined to be NHL stars.
But only Letang would make it.
After playing one professional season and a total of 36 NHL games, tragedy struck. On May 29, 2008, soon after he returned home from the end of his hockey season, Bourdon was killed in a motorcycle accident near his hometown in New Brunswick. He was only 21 years old at the time of his passing. The hockey community mourned his loss, recognizing the immense potential he had as a player.
Luc Bourdon's untimely death left a lasting impact on the hockey world, and he is remembered as a talented defenseman whose career was cut short far too soon. His memory continues to be honored by the Vancouver Canucks and the hockey community in general.
"His potential was incredible," said Steve Tambellini, the Canucks assistant general manager at the time. "Not only the player but the person was starting to emerge as a professional athlete."
"You could sense when you got to know Luc that when he emerged as an NHL regular, he would be an impact player. He was a passionate individual that cared a great deal about his teammates and cared a great deal about his profession."
Goaltender Cory Schneider got to know Bourdon quite well in their one season in the minor leagues together.
"It's just not a hockey player we lost," said Schneider, Bourdon's teammate last season with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. "It's a great kid who loved life and was trying to get the most out of it.
"He was a very fun-loving person. He did what ever he wanted, what ever made him happy. In practice, he worked hard but he always kept it light. At the end of practice he would do some crazy games or drills."
The Canucks have taken Bourdon's #28 out of circulation in his honour.
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