Hockey family mourns Pat Burns

After a long battle against cancer that began in 2004, Pat Burns died on Friday in Sherbrooke, Quebec, at the age of 58.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a brief statement: "Just as they will remember Pat for his success as a coach, hockey fans also will remember his humor, his honesty, his humanity and his courage. As it mourns the loss of an outstanding contributor to the game, the National Hockey League sends heartfelt condoleances to Pat's family and friends."

Following a career as a police officer in Gatineau, Quebec, Burns acted head coach of the QMJHL Hull Olympiques from 1984 to 1987, and of the Sherbrooke Canadiens of the American Hockey League for the season of 1987\88. In 1988 he lead the Montreal Canadiens to the Stanley Cup finals in his first year as their coach. Burns also coached Boston, Toronto and New Jersey, twice leading the Bruins to the playoffs and making the conference finals in 1992 and 1993 with the Maple Leafs.

In 2002, he lead the New Jersey Devils to a 46-26-10 record and 108 points, beating the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in seven games to win the franchise's third Stanley Cup title in his first season. In 2005, due to illness, he retired from coaching.

With a career of 501-353-165 (.573) in 1,019 NHL games, Burns was the first three-time winner of the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's top coach, with the Bruins, Maple Leafs and Canadiens. He is the only person to be awarded the trophy the with three teams.

Stanstead College in Quebec is building an arena in honor of their former coach, naming it the Pat Burns Arena.  The grand opening is scheduled for next year.

 

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