Luc Bourdon, a defensive prospect for the Vancouver Canucks, was killed this morning in a motorcycle crash. I'd like to extend my sincerest condolences to the Bourdon family. Bourdon had a distinguished junior and international career, and had just 36 games of NHL experience.
Justin Falk, a 4th round pick (110th overall), was a part of the Memorial Cup winning Spokane Chiefs, who beat the Kitchener Rangers 4-1 Saturday night. Falk was named to the Tournament All-Star Team at Defense, and also had a goal, an assist, and 4 penalty minutes in 4 games played.
The Memorial Cup is the penultimate championship for the Canadian Hockey League, which consists of three different junior leagues; The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, The Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League. The winner of each league goes to the Memorial Cup, along with a "host" team, a team who's city is home to the Cup every year- this year the Memorial Cup festivities were in Kitchener, Ontario.
Good thing that the championship trophy was only a replica...
After the season ended abruptly, there was a lingering sentiment emanating from Jacques Lemaire; that he may or may not return as bench boss for the Wild. Well, quell your fears kids, Lemaire will return to coach this year.
-There's been a Pavol Demitra sighting in Vancouver; Demitra has ties with Mike Gillis, who took over as GM after Dave Nonis was fired. -Marian Gaborik had minor hip surgery in Colorado to relieve a torn labrum. He'll be in good shape for training camp in the fall, that is if he is still in a Minnesota uniform come that time. -And since there isn't much ahead (aside from free agency), here are some of what the Mock Drafters around the Interlink are prognosticating for us at #24: MyNHLDraft.com has us taking Zac Dalpe.The Bleacher Report has us taking John Carlson (which I wholeheartedly approve of.) NHLDraftsite.com has us taking local kid Jake Gardiner. I'll add more when the draft rolls nearer, when the various scouting services release their final rankings, and also get some added input from Max Giese of McKeen's Hockey, who has been nice enough to give the lowdown on a few Wild Prospects, and some local Draft-Eligibles for this blog. The Central Scouting Bureau, which is the NHL's service, has released their final rankings, which can be found here.
