Pat Burns Earns His Place in NHL Hall of Fame

Pat Burns has finally been inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame.

Burns took an unlikely route to being enshrined in professional hockey’s Hall of Fame, going from a career as a 17 year police veteran in Gatineau, Quebec to coach of the Hull Olympiques and led the team to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League title. He then coached in the AHL before making his debut in the NHL. For 14 seasons, he coached the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins before retiring.

From 1988-92, Burns coached the Canadiens and managed to make an appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his four years with the club. His most successful season as Canadiens head coach was his first, in which Montreal made it to the Stanley Cup finals, only to lose to the Calgary Flames in a six game series 4-2.

After Montreal, Burns joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as head coach, again, bringing the team to the playoffs each year he was with the team. Despite his track record, Burns was fired in his fourth season with the Maple Leafs to sign with the Boston Bruins.

Burns spent four seasons with the Boston Bruins and reached the playoffs in his first two years, did not qualify for the playoffs in his third and was again fired in his fourth season before signing with the New Jersey Devils.

The fourth time would be the charm for Burns as his first year with the Devils brought him his first and only Stanley Cup win against the Anaheim Ducks who stretched the series to the full seven games before the Devils were able to hoist the Cup.

Burns passed away after a battle with cancer in November 2010 and there was quiet anger among the hockey community over the selection committee not inducting Burns before his death. Now, more than anything, there’s a sense of joy and relief that he has finally received his dues.