Pat Burns RIP

[SkyDog112046]

I know there were erroneous reports a while ago but unfortunately this time the news is legitimate

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=5827137

Former New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins coach Pat Burns died Friday after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Burns, who coached the Devils to a Stanley Cup championship in 2003, was 58.

"On behalf of the ownership, management, staff, and players of the New Jersey Devils, we are all deeply saddened by the loss of Pat Burns," Devils President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello said in a team statement announcing Burns' death. "Pat was a close friend to us all, while dedicating his life to his family and to the game of hockey. He has been part of our family here in New Jersey for eight years. Today, the hockey world has lost a great friend and ambassador. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Line, and the entire Burns' family."

Burns was the only coach to win the Jack Adams award three times as the NHL's top coach and was one of just 11 coaches to surpass the 1,000 games-coached mark.

"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," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement Friday. "As it mourns the loss of an outstanding contributor to the game, the National Hockey League sends heartfelt condolences to Pat's family and friends."

Burns spent 14 years as an NHL coach from 1988 to 2004.

In addition to the Devils and Bruins, Burns also manned the bench for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.

Throughout his career, Burns' teams made the playoffs in all but three seasons. He had a career record of 501-353-165 and was the ninth coach to win 500 NHL games.

[MurrayFiend]

R.I.P. I'm not into hockey now, but when I was, I was a Devils fan for some weird reason. I remember that 2003 Cup win.

[WOLF]

Sadly, the open line shows in Montreal are abuzz at the moment with stories of Pat Burns' all too early demise.

RIP to a great, tough man, who, before becoming a great junior, AHL, and NHL coach, walked a beat as a cop in a tough neighborhood.

He will be missed.

EDITED to add: A nice tribute to coach Burns from TSN: http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip378059#clip378088

[krazeebaybee]

Tragic loss, not just to hockey.

Lovely sentiments in this article.
RIP.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puc ... nhl-287611

[Gibsonite]

Watched that clip on TSN earlier and didn't get to the end before tearing up like a little kid..

R.I.P Pat. 93 & 94 were a hell of a ride..

[doctordestructo]

R.I.P.

On a light note (as light as it can get all things considered) regarding Burns' passing, I remember when Barry Melrose called him fat and told him to "eat another donut" during the 1993 Kings vs Toronto Conference Championship series... always got a chuckle out of an all time mullet-head laying that on anyone

[WOLF]

On a lighter note, it brought a smile to my face, after the erroneous reports of his demise a couple of weeks ago, when I read, via of Bob McKenzie of TSN, that Burns had just called McKenzie and was sad and shocked to hear of his passsing!

[chungasrevenge]

RIP. I always liked Burns. He got shafted by the B's and never should have been fired.