Bourdon owned bike just days before death

May 30, 2008 - 9:48 PM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Vancouver Canucks defenseman Luc Bourdon owned his motorcycle just days before dying Thursday when the bike slammed into a truck.

A very close friend of Bourdon's, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang admitted Friday that he was badly shaken by the tragic death of the New Brunswick native, who who was killed instantly when his motorcycle collided with a tractor-trailer.

Letang said Bourdon called him earlier this week to tell him about purchasing the motorcycle, a Suzuki GSX-R1000.

"He got it three days ago," Letang said. "He was pretty excited. He's a guy who had fun with sports stuff - like Seadoo and sport cars and whatever.

"We know (the motorcycle) was dangerous, but he had fun with it. I know he didn't do speed with it. He just had a bad move or something. Those things, you have no second chance."

Bourdon, who was just 21 years old, received his motorcycle license two weeks ago. According to police inspector Roch Fortin, inexperience likely played a major factor in Bourdon's death.

"The impact took place in the opposite lane," Fortin said during a news conference from Shippagan, New Brunswick - Bourdon's hometown. "The truck driver tried everything in his power to avoid the accident."

Letang, 21, told reporters that he and Bourdon were planning on vacationing together before training in Montreal this offseason.

A former roommate and juniors teammate of Bourdon's, Letang said he still has not fully accepted the death of his "best friend."

"We were talking about his motorcycle, and I never thought it would happen," Letang said. "I can't still believe it because when you lose someone close like that, you can't do much. And it's so tough to me. Like right now, he was my best friend."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement Friday saying that a moment of silence will be held Saturday prior to Game Four of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Penguins and Detroit Red Wings.

"The National Hockey League family grieves with the family, friends and teammates of Luc Bourdon," Bettman said. "We send heartfelt condolences to the Vancouver Canucks' organization and the community of Shippagan, N.B.

"To honor a young life ended long before its promise could be fulfilled, a moment of silence will be observed Saturday night prior to Game Four of the Stanley Cup Final."

Letang, who was benched for Game Three and will not play Saturday, admitted that it was difficult to focus on hockey during Friday's practice.

"I don't know why, but this morning I had no energy," he said. "Even if I wanted to skate, I couldn't approach - it's like I lost so much energy when it happened yesterday."

Penguins superstar center Sidney Crosby, just 20 years old, said that Bourdon's death provided him with perspective.

"It's tough," Crosby said. "The hockey world is a small community, and I think a lot of guys probably crossed paths with (Bourdon) at some point. Personally, I was drafted with him in junior and at the NHL draft, I saw him there.

"It's sad to see someone that young have something happen like that. It certainly makes you realize how valuable life is and how lucky we are. But it's an unfortunate incident for sure."