Saturday, one of the best coaches in NHL history passed away after a long battle with cancer. As good a coach as Pat Burns was, from all accounts, he was an equally fine individual.
As a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs, fan I can recall the announcement that Burns was joining the Leafs. For many, it was the turning point in an otherwise lethargic franchises lineage, for, in Pat Burns, we all believed our team would be better.
Known for his hard work, ability to communicate with players, fairness and gruff demeanor behind the bench, Burns was the kind of coach that players would go through a wall for.
Like a super star player, Burns was as much of an icon in Toronto as anyone, in fact, at times, he may have been as big a figure as any one of his players.
Like every good leader, Burns always treated his troops with respect and dignity. He had an uncanny ability to find a player's strength, whether it be offensive, defense or otherwise, and he had a knack for making that player feel just as important as the next.
Under Burns, you would win as a team or lose as a team, it was really that simple.
Burns’ energy an ...
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Article written by Mark Ritter
Pat Burns Will Live on in All of Our Hearts
November 22nd, 2010 by Mark Ritter Leave a reply »
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