There's not much more that can be said about Luc Bourdon, who at the tender age of 21 was already considered an icon in his hometown of Shippagan, New Brunswick. I can't imagine the nightmares his girlfriend, Charlene, and mother, Suzanne Boucher, are experiencing now.

 

Bourdon was an only child, raised by his mom. He lost his life in a tragic accident when his Suzuki GSXR-1000 motorbike crashed into a tractor-trailer on a lonely stretch of highway in Northern New Brunswick. According to media reports, Charlene witnessed the horrific incident as she was following Bourdon in her car. It was also believed that the popular Luc was ready to pop the question (engagement followed by marriage) to his significant other this summer. Charlene and Suzanne tried talking the two time world junior gold medalist out of buying the bike, but as we all know, sometimes young adults have a feeling of invincibility. NHL teams are now considering barring players from riding motorbikes while they are under contract.

As a tribute to this young man, I would like to see the Vancouver Canucks award the Luc Bourdon Memorial Trophy each season. Criteria could include the organization's best prospect, both on and off the ice.

*** 

 

Yes, many hockey fans may be applauding Hockey Night in Canada's expected decision to replace Bob Cole with Jim Hughson for next year's Stanley Cup final, but let's remember Cole’s legacy respectfully earns him the distinction as one of the best hockey play by play men of all time.

Although Hughson, who recently signed a six-year contract extension with the CBC, will be the voice for the Flagship Saturday Night game, Cole will not retire, and will continue to call regular season games. In a previous move, Hockey Night in Canada phased out Harry Neale as its number one color commentator, however, Neale continues to work selected games.

My top four play by play men of all-time are: Danny Gallivan, Dan Kelly, Foster Hewitt, and Jim Robson. It may be debatable as to where Cole ranks, but clearly it should be in the top 10.

 

 

 

***  

 

Don't look now, but football season has arrived, at least in the CFL. The BC Lions, who have their exhibition opener Friday, June 13^th at Saskatchewan, began training camp with five quarterbacks in camp including: Jarious Jackson, Buck Pierce, Gino Guidugli (who was recently in PG helping instruct at a skills camp) Zac Champion and Omar Haugabook. Pierce or Jackson, both of whom have started just 11 games, will fight for the number one position. Both did admirable jobs in replacing injured Dave Dickenson in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Pierce has slightly better career stats, but I'm betting that Jackson will be “barking” out the signals when the Lions open the regular season June 26^th in Calgary.

 

***  

 

A great “shot in the arm” for North Central Basketball as Basketball BC selected a few players from this region to its Provincial teams. Andrew Whittaker of Duchess Park was chosen to the Boys Under-15 “Blue” team; which consists of the top 12 players in the province in that age group. Meanwhile, Nolan Hanson of John McInnis made one of the two Boys Under-14 teams, the exact one (Blue or Red Development) to be determined later this month.

On the girls’ side, Grade 9 standouts Dana Clarkson and Michelle Schmidt of Vanderhoof were picked to the Provincial Under-15 “Red” Development team.

 

***  

 

The Cariboo Cougars were overlooked on the BC Major Midget Hockey League all-star team. The Prince George based club finished 4th in the regular season, but more importantly went 6-and-0 in the playoffs. Does it not seem “curious” that not one of the provincial champions would make the all-star team? It's not the first time, nor will it be the last, the north has been snubbed by the southern voters.

 

“You believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?” Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mark Hendrickson, with his top pickup line

 

“The Denver Broncos released Travis Henry Monday, saying his commitment to the team was in question. I'd say that's true, considering his month-long Father's Day celebrations are coming up.” Vancouver comic Torben Rolfsen

“Really? Henry has nine children by nine different women, what was Shanahan’s first clue?”

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com), on Broncos coach
Mike Shanhan saying that Travis Henry was just too inconsistent as a person. 

“The California Attorney General's Office is looking into allegations that O.J.Mayo may have received benefits from a charity by using their American Express card. A spokesman said, 'He won't leave USC without us.”Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California


“Toronto Argonaut quarterback Damon Allen is retiring saying he wants to quit while he is still young enough to join the Detroit Red Wings on the blue line.”Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

“A study says that golfers have a death rate 40% lower than the rest of the population, which equates to five extra years of life. Most of which is spent looking for errant tee shots.” Comedian Jim Barach


“The Major Indoor Soccer League has shut down after operating for seven seasons. The US Supreme Court says both fans have filed a suit to get their season ticket money back.”Comedy writer Jerry Perisho