Blue And White Beat: Burns missed out on chance to see enshrinement.
It was only fitting that Montreal was the venue for a heartfelt tribute to Pat Burns.
Just over 24 hours after the legendary coach was finally defeated in his seven-year battle with cancer, Burns was feted in a pre-game ceremony at Bell Centre prior to the opening faceoff of the game between the Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Burns was recognized with notable images of his career projected on the video scoreboard as the Beatles’ ballad “In My Life” resonated through the arena. With the timing of his passing coinciding with a game featuring long-time rivals the Habs and Leafs – his first two NHL employers – it was as if the 58-year-old chose his time to leave this earth.
The honour was the second public tribute paid to the cop-turned-coach in as many months. In early October, Burns was on hand to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for an arena in Stanstead, Quebec that will bear his name.
Under different circumstances, the city of Toronto would have also played host to a celebration of Burns’ achievements. Sadly, the three-time NHL coach of the year was passed over for election into the Hockey Hall of Fame, whose most recent inductees were recognized two weeks ago.
That Burns didn’t live to receive his invitation to the shrine is an indictment of a flawed process within the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee.
According to the committee’s By-Laws, the attributes for election of nominees to the Builders category are listed as follows: “Coaching, managerial or executive ability, where applicable, or any other significant off-ice skill or role, sportsmanship, character and their contribution to their organizations and to the game of hockey in general.”
Perhaps any of the 18 members who are on the Selection Committee but didn’t vote for Burns – who fell short of the 75% of votes needed for election – can specify which of the criteria was not met by the man who posted a .573 winning percentage and 501 victories in 1,019 games as a regular season NHL coach.
The four organizations for which Burns coached were all beneficiaries of his teaching. In his first season with each of his first three teams – Montreal, Toronto and Boston – Burns was named the Jack Adams Trophy winner as league’s best coach, making him the only triple winner of the award in NHL history.
In his first year with his fourth team, New Jersey, he guided them to a Stanley Cup title in 2003.
His 78 playoff coaching wins place him eighth on the all-time list.
His absence from the Hockey Hall of Fame platform was conspicuous, not because his imminent passing made him a sentimental favorite, but because his accomplishments in the game merited his rightful place among the greats of the game, including players he coached: Patrick Roy, Larry Robinson, Bob Gainey, Glenn Anderson and Scott Stevens.
Burns hasn’t coached a game since 2004 and has been both eligible and worthy of induction since reaching his pinnacle of success.
The Selection Committee has missed the mark in leaving his name off the final ballot – not just this year, but in previous years.
The oversight is sure to be corrected. But it’s unfortunate that when that day finally comes, Burns won’t be on hand to personally accept the honour.
Rob Del Mundo is the author of Blue And White Beat, and is a regular columnist at TMLfans.ca
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