SHIPPAGAN, N.B. - Luc Bourdon's friends, family and fans are gathering today to pay their respects to the young, promising National League Hockey player during a public visitation at an arena in northeastern New Brunswick. Bourdon, a rookie defenceman with the Vancouver Canucks, died instantly Thursday near his family's home in Shippagan, N.B., when the motorcycle he was driving slammed into an oncoming tractor-trailer. Police say the 21-year-old, who had only received a licence for the bike two weeks ago, was trying to pass another truck on a highway curve at the time. A second visitation and funeral will also be held at the arena in Shippigan on Monday. Bourdon's loss has hit the small, Acadian community hard where residents say they're mourning the loss of a role model. On Saturday, Bourdon was remembered during a moment of silence before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. Bourdon's picture was flashed on the videoboard as the majority of players stood with their heads bowed.
