Guest Post: The Eternal Shine of Pat Burns

 

When The Passion Returned

BY MONIKA MORAVAN

Heaven has a better selection committee than the Hockey Hall of Fame.

That was my initial reaction upon hearing that Pat Burns, three-time winner of the Jack Adams Award, had died on November 19, 2010.

I have no personal grudges against anyone on the panel responsible for choosing the 2010 inductees. How could someone who grew up a Leafs fan possibly hate Jim Gregory, Pat Quinn, Mike Gartner, or Lanny McDonald? Being of Slovak stock, I can’t bear ill will toward Peter Stastny and everyone else in the select group of 18 deserves his spot on the vote squad.

We all make mistakes, and whether the HHOF selection committee considers not inducting Pat Burns while alive to be such an error is a matter for their collective conscience, not mine.

After the initial moments of silence, my mind filled with memories of the Pat Burns era in Toronto Maple Leafs history. The irony was that a few days earlier I had been talking about how the 20th anniversary of the Great Playoff Run of '93 was fast approaching, and how wonderful it would be to have an anniversary remake of The Passion Returns. (Paging Chris Clarke, paging Chris Clarke. But I'll take a pass on re-recording "Leafs Are The Best," please and thank you.)

I'll remember Pat Burns but not in the generic way we often have of honouring celebrities from afar. What Burns accomplished with the Leafs reignited my Leafs passion, the craziness that had me cancel all other plans and activities during game time.

Growing up in the 1970s, my hockey world revolved around the Leafs. When a neighbour enrolled me in the local Girl Guides troop that met on Wednesdays, I quit. After all, that was Leafs game night on CHCH TV out of Hamilton and there was no way I could miss out on that, not with Dave Hodge and Dick Beddoes adding splash and dash to the festivities.

That was followed by the 80s, best summed up by the immortal words of Forrest Gump: "And that's all I have to say about that."

There was a faint tinge of Wendel Clark's star power fighting its way through the dark clouds of Harold Ballard's shadow but my eyes had wandered towards Tonawanda. I had taken to watching the Buffalo Sabres solely because of Alexander Mogilny. Long before he joined the Leafs in 2001, as early as the 1987 World Junior Championship, his hockey talents had caught my eye and I watched every Sabres game possible to appreciate his innate stick and puck wizardry.

Just as Mogilny's career was off the runway and reaching cruising height, I had one more reason to celebrate. On January 16, 1991 my man-crush, Peter Zezel, became a Toronto Maple Leaf. No more trips to Metro Ref from my suburban digs to scour through out of town newspapers in search of stories on my favourite centre.

There were still some pains for Leafs fans (okay, so there are always some pains for Leafs fans) until Pat Burns brought his tonic to Toronto. Whatever was in that remedy it had me, for the first time in a decade, putting everything on the backburner to watch my Blue and White.

Despite the heartrending Game 6 loss to Los Angeles in the 1993 Conference Final, I never again lost my Leafs passion. Not even the time a former member of the ’93 Leafs shot me a nasty stare when I told him, "There was a game 7." (Note to self: Never, ever, ever do that again!)

I've been fortunate enough to sit in the press box at Air Canada Centre a few times and have mastered the art of not cheering, of doing my job to observe, record and tell stories. What my seat mates may not have realized was that beneath the silent surface, a czardas was whirling through my hockey heart.

And for that, I thank Pat Burns.

 

Monika Moravan is a Toronto-based freelance writer, editor and researcher. She is the Ontario editor for The Society for International Hockey
 Research's newsletter.

Pat Burns will be laid to rest today in Montreal.

 

MAIN PHOTO: SHAUN BEST/REUTERS

Comments

[We BeLeaf]

I believe that it cannot be disputed that the Pat Burns' coached team of '92 restored the passion of Leafs Nation in this city in one year where they had been mired in mediocrity since the late '70's. God Bless you Pat, you will be sorely missed...

[Lea-Ann Kelly]

Well written Monika!!!

[Hoofheartz]

Excellent blog. Thanks for bringing back some fond memories and bringing a smile. My son now has the Blue and White fever and hopefully one day we can watch them raise the Cup again. As for Mr Burns, we can only hope that our Leafs can find a coach like him again (and soon).

[80s Leafs]

There was a Sunday afternoon game from St. Louis in the 2nd round series against the Blues in the '93 playoff run, and I remember Cherry and MacLean doing their pre-game thing and Cherry saying, "Boy, the Leafs are ready today, I just tried to shake Pat Burn's hand but he's not talking to anybody!" Leafs went out and spanked the Blues.
That's when I knew just how intense Burns's was behind the bench. And, how I know just how badly such intensity is missing these days.

[Arthur Bailey]

Is it really such a faux pas for a sports writer to show emotion during a game?

If so, Sports writers are on my list of soul-less professionals along with Lawyers, Veterinarians, Politicians and people who collect bonuses while laying off their front-line staff.

[Pyramid Power]

Nice blog and well done.

Pretty good for a squarehead from St Henri as his cousin said in his eulogy today in Montreal. Nice to see the entire Jersey team out for his funeral, and Domi and other Leafs there including Burkie and Fletch.

Among the many things that stick out for me when recalling Burns is that smirk/scowl/sarcastic smile when he disagreed with a ref. Man, that must have infuriated so many referees.

I can only imagine how that unforgettable look of complete scorn, contempt and disdain must have put the fear of Jesus into any criminals he came into contact with in the Gatineau when he was a cop.

God bless ya Pat! You fought a great fight, had a great life and we love ya in Toronto. Should have been inducted into the HHOF before you perished, but will be soon no doubt.

[Robert]

Well, say what you like, the HHOF had the opportunity to install Pat Burns. For whatever reason, they chose not to - tells you a lot about the lack of transparency and the children's hour in the toy box!

[Leaf shredder / Kid Delicious]

I still rememeber his first game behind the bench. We were scrambling to find out who this ex-cop was and where did he come from. After all..he was coaching the Canadiens. We held our breath and waited. This was the real deal. When he left for Toronto...I had to shake my head. What? Where? You have got to be kidding?
The Leafs. He was going to the Leafs. Unbelievable! How could he do this to us?
I think the thing that bothered us most was now they had a great coach and we knew what he was capable of. He fit right in in Toronto and helped turn things around there. Everywhere he went he had success. If he doesn't deserve to be in the Hall...who does?
He will be missed.

[Pyramid Power]

Let's win this one for Burnsie!
Crabb up from the Marlies, hope the kid has a great debut as a Leaf. Hope Toronto can keep the Lightning in a bottle as Washington did last Friday night zapping them 6-0 in Washington. Then Miami beat Tampa in a shootout the next night.
Leafs have done well at home, and desperately need this game and then Thursday's home game against Edmonton and another at the ACC against Boston on Saturday night.
Three game win streak here now would lift their spirits, and put them back at .500.
Let's go get this one for Pat.
GO LEAFS GO! GAME TIME!

[Pyramid Power]

SJOSTROM! SHOOOOOOEEEEEYYYYYY! GOOOOOOAL!!!!!

1-0 early on a horrible play by Tampa goalie and Toronto native Dan Ellis who let a huge rebound go to Bozak and then did not get over in time to cover on the play with Versteeg and Bozak getting assists on Sjostrom's second of the year. Let's add to this lead quickly!

[Pyramid Power]

Keep your head up Phil! What a hit by Ohlund! It's OK to pass the puck Phil.

[Pyramid Power]

Goose looking good so far. In a shutout frame of mind tonight I hope.
And what a glorious missed opportunity by Grabovski. Right in the slot and just had to pick a corner or go five hole and this game is 2-0.

[Pyramid Power]

Grabovski rifles on and it hits the post. Top glove side of Ellis. Great shot but just no luck. Think it will be 2-0 soon here. Leafs look very good tonight so far.

[Pyramid Power]

Tremendous chance for Bozak but he rifled it wide. Amazing how he does not even get that shot on net from eleven feet out in the slot.
Then immediately afterwards Komisarek takes a STUPID penalty. No surprise there.
Get on the PK guys. Goose looking great. Keep this at 1-0 and watch St Louis and Stamkos.

[Pyramid Power]

Ellis looking VERY shaky tonight. Long drive from centre by Kaberle almost somehow got by him. Looking good on the PK. 1-0 Toronto.

[Pyramid Power]

Great blocked shot by Fu Manchu during that second PK! Very lucky Stamkos did not tie it.
Stupid penalty by Versteeg tripping in the offensive zone. Got away with that one.
See if we can add to this lead before the period ends.
Goose looking outstanding!

[Pyramid Power]

VERY iffy call by the ref on MacArthur blocking Ellis' ability to stop a point shot goal by Schenn or this game would be 2-0 at the end of one. Replays showed he did an excellent job of standing right in front of Ellis, but might have got too close bumping into Ellis. Was he knocked into Ellis by Hedman? A little.

Whining about the refs is for hockey mummies though so we'll forget about that and move on.
1-0 Toronto at the end of one. Very entertaining period of hockey. Crabb looked good and looks like he belongs.
And Goose has just been great!
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

Where the heck is my colour man Moe Green? Must be out in the stands chanting.

[Pyramid Power]

Penalties bound to catch up to the Leafs sooner rather than later. Malone ties it up 1-1 on the Kulemin penalty.
There goes the goose for Goose.
Let's start hitting the net and scoring goals in bunches here.
And stay outta the freakin' box!

[Pyramid Power]

Classy move by Sjostrom to tell the refs that he did not touch the puck on the first goal. Goal credited to Versteeg which is his seventh.

Star running a poll about who got the better of the Versteeg-Stalberg/DiDomenico/Paradis trade and voters are overwhelmingly in favour of the Hawks. Give it time people. Hawks fans or Versteeg haters must be flooding that poll I can only assume.

[Pyramid Power]

Kabby actually shot the puck on that PP, and almost got it thru. Shoot the puck low Tomas, you usually do that WHEN you shoot.
Let's go score some goals here!
GO LEAFS GO! Make your chances count guys! Hit the net and make a shaky Ellis look bad.
Hold the fort Goose. You're looking great tonight and have since Giggy went out.

[Pyramid Power]

KULEMIN!!!! GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLL! PP! OUTSTANDING!
2-1 TORONTO. Back to the PP again. Let's get another one Toronto. Goose looking great and is not going to let another one in tonight.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

Keep shooting Toronto. Ellis looks brutal out there. See if we can make this 3-1 before the end of the second.

[Pyramid Power]

2-1 at the end of two. Time for Leafs fans to hold their collective breaths again thru the third period.
Noticed Simon Gagne is back. Good for him.
Great line about him that I read somewhere. "Simon Gagne is out for Tampa because, well, he's Simon Gagne."
How many games has this guy missed due to injury over his career? Amazing.
I am going to predict Crabb scores his first as a Leaf in the third, or Kadri will score his first ever tonight allowing the Leafs to win this in reg. time and get a very, very much needed two points.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

Tough goal for Goose to give up to Malone btw. Should have had that one, but he's more than made up for it with other saves. The numbers Goose has put up since Giggy's groin issues have been amazing.
But never mind the numbers, he has just been fantastic in general.
Too bad Goose isn't posting the goose so far tonight though. Sure he would like to have that Malone goal back.

Getting this game live streamed from Slovenia with their play callers. Wild! My Slovenian is a little rusty. lol
Hope they bring us some luck tonight.
Might need some in the third, but I think Ronnie will have the guys ready to go out and put a blanket over Stamkos and Tampa in the third.

[Pyramid Power]

Pitiful to see the opening of the third period and tons of empty seats in the lower bowl above the ice. The suits just can't get off their phones, and get back to cheer their team on apparently.
That should not be happening in Hockeytown. Vinay's inverted seating proposal really has to be implemented, or even the ringer idea.

[Pyramid Power]

Great hustle by Bozak on the Kulemin PK, and almost ripped one home. Keep it up guys. And stay out of the bloody box!
Tampa has an outstanding PP. Can't take another penalty tonight.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSE! What a save by Gus on Stamkos.
I woulda ripped my groin to shreds for years, and then a hernia operation moving laterally like he just did.

KULEMIN!!!! GOAL!!!! YES! YES! YES! YES! CRABB and our Slovenian friends bringing us some very good luck!

3-1 Toronto! Outstanding!

Blanket time on defence Toronto, no dumb penalties and let's close this one out with no mess and no fuss and no muss.

GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

Poop! The usual suspects on the ice for Tampa's second goal to make it 3-2 - Beauchemin and Komisarek. Not sure it was their fault as I did not get a good replay, but I think I can safely assume it was.

Thanks gents for making us go back to holding our breaths for the next 20 minutes or so.

[Pyramid Power]

Faceoff win by Dominic Moore and they tie it with seconds to go after some awesome work by Fu Manchu a.k.a. Mike Brown. Tough tough end with St Louis's second goal of the game.
To OT we go.
Good passion by Leafs fans with the 'Go Leafs Go' chants near the end but brutal finish on their 38th shot of the game.
GO LEAFS GO! LET'S WIN THIS ONE FOR GOOSE, FU AND LEAF NATION.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Piece of CRAP!!!

[Pyramid Power]

Gagne wins it. Gagne means win in French and he did it as in win for Tampa.
Don't know who got caught up ice on the 2 on 1 for Tampa, but he should be shot. See it was Schenn now on the replay. What a bummer for him after having played a great game.
Had that game in control and should have won it.
12 seconds to go in the game, faceoff in our zone and we lose. Unbeleafable!
Had a chance to score with the empty net and ice it.
Brutal loss.
Take the point and move on, but this one hurts badly.

[Jeanne Espy]

Every game this team gets worse and worse. Aren't we supposed to be getting slightly better? Isn't that what good teams are supposed to do? On a night where Stamkos was virtually invisible, the Leafs find a new way to lose. This is a very very poor team. Will they really be better next year? Based on what?

[Pyramid Power]

This loss has just crushed me. I can only imagine how the players, Wilson and Burkie feel. Awful.

VM Replies: Thanks for your tireless updates tonight, PP. I was going to post a review now. But I'm agitated and frustrated, so will wait until the morning.

[80s Leafs]

I sat in the parking lot oustide the arena, waiting for the start of my kid's game tonight, listening to Dennis Beyak and Ralphie calling the game on 640, There were 4 minutes left, and Leafs were clinging to that 3-2 lead when I finally had to turn off the car radio and go inside.
I just got home, rushed to the comp to look for the final score. FIrst thing I see is the headline about Tampa winning in it overtime, then read far enough to see they had tied it with only 8 seconds left.
Why, oh Lord, Why?

[Pyramid Power]

Understandable Vinay. I am having trouble speaking with my wife right now I am that upset. I can't speak as in I am left speechless yet again. I thought Buffalo and their last second tying goal and OT win hurt, and yes it did, somehow this feels even worse.

[Tom]

Leafs blow a lead yet again. It's starting to look like the MLSE are pimping them out to rest of the league.