Fast Break

Hockey

Canucks Bourdon dies in accident

Luc Bourdon, a promising rookie defenseman with the Vancouver Canucks, was killed Thursday when his motorcycle struck a tractor-trailer in a crash near his hometown. He was 21.

His death was confirmed by his sister Eve Bourdon and stepmother, Maryse Godin. Both declined further comment when reached at the family’s home in Shippagan, New Brunswick.

Police wouldn’t confirm the identity of the victim but said a motorcyclist was killed in the early afternoon on a road between Shippagan and Lemeque.

Bourdon was the first-round draft pick of the Canucks in 2005, selected 10th overall. He split time this season with the Canucks and the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League. In 27 games with the Canucks, he scored twice and had no assists.

Bourdon played juniors for Val d’Or, Moncton and Cape Breton of the QMJHL.

Basketball

Idaho’s Kale won’t return

Mike Kale has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility with the University of Idaho men’s basketball program and will graduate this summer.

Kale has been with the Vandal program since the 2004-05 season and has one year of eligibility remaining after missing the 2006-07 season with a knee injury.

Kale was one of two players to see action in all 29 games last season and led the team with a 49-percent field goal shooting percentage. He averaged 4.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 17.0 minutes per game in his three seasons at Idaho.

Idaho also announced that Jordan Brooks and Mike Hall will not return next season.

Baseball

NAIA World Series staying in Lewiston

Lewis-Clark State College and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) officials have reached an agreement to keep the annual Avista NAIA College World Series baseball tournament in Lewiston through 2012.

LCSC and NAIA officials announced Thursday they signed a three-year contract extension that will keep the 10-team double-elimination tournament at LCSC’s Harris Field. LCSC is in its 17th year serving as host for the week-long tournament, which begins the Friday of Memorial Day weekend.

LCSC played host to the tournament during 1984-91, and has been the host since 2000.

Inside today

Take a golf trip to Disney World

Our spring golf section, inserted in today’s paper, includes a travel piece on golf courses at Disney World, the planned renovation at the Liberty Lake golf course and a preview of the U.S. Open from area golfers who have played Torrey Pines South in San Diego.