Pat Burns, NHL Coaching Great, Dies

Pat Burns, who led the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup title in 2003 and was selected as the NHL's top coach on three occasions, died Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.

"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. "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."

Before he became known as one of the most fierce coaches in professional hockey, Burns was a police officer in Gatineau, Quebec. He began his NHL head coaching career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1988 before stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils.

He's the only coach to win the Jack Adams Trophy three times.

 

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Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/19/pat-burns-nhl-coaching-great-dies/

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