Luc Bourdon, a promising defenceman with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks, was killed Thursday afternoon when his motorcycle struck a tractor-trailer in his native northern New Brunswick.
Bourdon's sister, Eve Bourdon, and his stepmother Maryse Godin both confirmed the death but declined further comment when reached at the family's home in Shippagan.
Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said the organization was "deeply saddened" by the loss and extended his sympathies Bourdon's family.
"Luc was an extremely talented player with a bright future," Gillis said in a statement. "He brought great passion to the game and was a valued team member on and off the ice.
"He will be greatly missed."
Kent Hughes, Bourdon's agent, described his client as a winner and a competitor.
"There was no quit in him," said Hughes, who knew Bourdon since the player was 15. "He persevered through a lot. He was a great guy and a great teammate."
RCMP in Shippagan wouldn't confirm the identity of the victim but said the driver of a motorcycle was killed at about 12:30 p.m. AT in crash on a road between Shippagan and Lemeque, N.B.
Bourdon, 21, was the first-round pick of the Canucks, 10th overall, in the 2005 NHL draft.
He split time this season with the Canucks and the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. In 27 games with the Canucks, he scored twice but had no assists.
Bourdon was a member of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2006 world junior hockey championship in Vancouver and was named to the tournament all-star team.
He helped Canada win another gold at the 2007 world juniors in Sweden.
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