Today, the hockey world saw a wonderful man pass away at the age of 58. Pat Burns, former head coach of the Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs, the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils, passed away today. In every city he coached at, he was loved by all the fans, players and ownership. He is the only coach in NHL History to win the Coach of the Year three times (on three separate teams, all Original six teams). Big Kev tweeted it earlier that he is the reason why he watched Hockey as a kid. I grew up watching hockey, and I remember being six or seven years old, watching my Maple Leafs play the Canadians and wishing that Pat Burns could one day be our coach, because he just looked so cool behind the bench of the Canadians especially with his wicked Mustache! In 1992, the Leafs made that dream a reality, and he was the Coach of the Leafs, leading them to 2 conference finals, and a lot of fond memories.
The first thought of Pat Burns that always comes to my mind is how nice he was. In the old Maple Leaf Gardens, the seats my dad would get would be a couple of rows behind the Leafs bench. I always enjoyed it, not because I was so close to the ice, but the fact that I had to walk through the Leafs bench to get to my seats. That was probably the coolest thing. I'd be walking back with my 3 dollar popcorn (yes it was $3.00 at the old Maple Leaf Gardens, of course in 1992 that was outrageous pricing), and I'd be sharing that with the back up goaltenders. It was fond memories. Pat Burns was one of those fond memories as well. He'd stick his hand and grab some pop corn and as I am walking back to my seat up the isle, he'd give me a wink. The man, who was in charge of my hockey team, coaching the likes of Dougie, Wendal, Potvin, Elliot, Anderchuk, Anderson Borchevsky, Krushilniski, Foligino, was stealing my popcorn and being a kid about it. Those are moments that as a 10 year old kid, watching the Blue and White in my Gold Seats at the Gardens will never forget.
I still remember how insane the city was getting in 1993, it was the 100th Anniversary of the Stanley Cup, and the Leafs who placed 3rd in the Norris Division (yeah the Norris Division of the Clarence Campbell Conference) played the Detroit Red Wings in the first round. No one thought the Leafs had a chance, but they pulled off the victory in 7 games against the Wings! Unbelievable Moment when Nikolai Borchevsky scored the game winner.
Next opponent of course was the St. Louis Blues and we all remember the goal by Doug Gilmour...you know the goal!!!!
Of course the next opponent was the L.A. Kings and we'll Leaf fans will never forgive Kerry Fraser for his blatant missed call in Game 6.
Pat Burns brought credibility back to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he brought back a winning tradition that we will never forget. It was a terrific run in Toronto those years, we had the Maple Leafs at the highest peak and the Toronto Blue Jays were winning championships too!!! I can only give Mr. Burns credit for their success too!
The Hockey Hall of Fame made a serious mistake this year by not inducting him into the Hall this year. That decision will cloud their heads for the rest of the committee's lifetime, however the results and the value that Pat Burns brought to the game of hockey will never be forgotten. He made a difference to the game, and for the rest of this weekend, and onto next week, Pat Burns will be remembered in every NHL arena, and not just in the ones he coached in.
If the NHL does decide to rename the trophies from the old names to new ones, the first one I'd change is the Jack Adams award for Coach of the Year, become the Pat Burns Award. Coaches should have a standard to rise to win this award, and there's no better role model to look up to than Pat Burns.
As this is Movember, and Awareness for Men's Cancer is the motivation behind my mustache, I would like to first and foremost be able to say that for the rest of my Mustache Journey, I would like to dedicate it not only to all those who have been impacted by men's cancer in their lives and loved ones, but also to the memory of Pat Burns. He might not remember who I am, but I sure remember him and the impact he made on my life. Pat Burns made hockey fun to watch in Toronto, and for that I show him my appreciation.
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I'm leaving you guys with this clip that I think just makes it right...this is truly Pat Burns at his best!!!
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