Sports Garth McLennan sports @theotherpress.ca Gil Cheung to replace Oeil Garth McLennan sports editor i been officially announced that Gil Cheung will replace the departing Jamie Oei as the head coach of the Douglas College men’s basketball team. Oei left his position to take up assistant coaching duties with the University of Idaho, and left a big hole aftera stellar season thatincludeda perfect record and a national championship. His replacement, Cheung, has served as one of the assistant coaches at Simon Fraser University. Cheung helmed the British Columbia under-15 team this past season to go along with his SFU duties, and the year before, he was the head man for the BC under-16 team. Cheung has an extensive playing career to go along with his coaching record. He was an excellent player for the Richmond Colts, and won a provincial championship with the high school in 1998. He would go on to attend Langara College, where he was an integral part of the 1999 CCAA National Championship winning team. After his stint with Langara, Cheung went on to star with the Brandon University Bobcats, where he was made team captain and would go on to lead the team to four conference titles. To go along with those accomplishments, Cheung was twice a silver medalist at the CIS National Championship tournament. Needless to say, Cheung has extensive experience when it comes to winning. Ever since his high school days, championship successes have followed him wherever he’s gone. With that in mind, he sounds like a perfect candidate to build on the Douglas College Royals already excellent program. Luc Bourdon dies in motorcycle crash By Garth McLennan, Sports Editor Aisa Vancouver Canucks lost one of their own on May 29, when rookie defenseman Luc Bourdon died in a tragic motorcycle accident. He was 21. Just two days after purchasing the bike, Bourdon lost control of the vehicle in Lameque, New Brunswick and smashed into a tractor trailer. Wind may have played a factor in the crash, as gusts reached speeds of 50 kilometers per hour. The Canucks drafted Bourdon in the first round, 10th overall, in the 2005 NHL entry draft. He played 36 games with Vancouver, scoring two goals and racking up 24 penalty minutes. Bourdon spent most of his professional hockey career with Vancouver’s top American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. In 41 games with Manitoba, he scored six goals and added eight assists for 14 points. He also had 68 penalty minutes. While Bourdon was developing his game over time in Vancouver’s “Bourdon had the training camp as an 18-year old. He was eventually returned to the junior ranks to further his development. Bourdon struggled for the next few seasons. A string of nagging injuries hindered his game, but by the end of this season he was on the verge of becoming a full time Canuck. Former general manager Dave Nonis had a strong belief in Bourdon’s abilities as he refused to part with the smooth-skating, soft- spoken blueliner over the past few NHL trade deadlines. In the 27 games he played with Vancouver system, his glory days potential to bea this year, Bourdon was an came during his time encouraging plus seven in the Quebec Major great star fe = the and scored twice. In a Junior Hockey League Canucks. 7 year when the Canucks’ (QMJHL). In junior, blueline was devastated he played for the Val-d’Or Foreurs, Moncton Wildcats and Cape Brenton Screaming Eagles. He played 200 major junior games, compiling 88 points with 22 goals and 66 assists. He also had 310 penalty minutes. Bourdon excelled playing for Canada internationally. He was a gold medalist skating for the Canadian side at both the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships. He had 10 big points in 12 games at the WJC’s and was a major factor at both events. He was also an assistant captain for Canada at the 2007 series. Bourdon’s name first rose to prominence in Vancouver at the beginning of the 2005-06 season. He was one of the final cuts as he lit up team by a slew of injuries that basically shelved their season, Bourdon stepped up his game to help keep the team in the hunt until the end. Bourdon had the potential to be a star for the Canucks. While his game was taking longer than some expected to reach its full potential, Bourdon had all the signs of an impact player in the making. He had a cannon of a shot, a strong breakout pass and tremendous skating skills. He was the type of prospect that teams love to have and are loathe to part with. It is a true shame that someone with such a bright future ahead of them had to be taken so early in his life. Luc Bourdon will be missed.