Saturday, November 20, 2010

QMJHL in mourning following passing of former coach, Pat Burns

Press Release

BOUCHERVILLE, Friday, November 19, 2010 - The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is in mourning following the passing of 2007 QMJHL Hall of Fame inductee Pat Burns. The legendary figure coached the Hull Olympiques for three seasons in the mid-eighties (1984-87), winning one hundred and eleven regular season games.

He led the franchise to its most successful campaign in 1985-86, winning a club-record fifty-four games, including twenty-two straight at home. That year, the Olympiques carried home their first Jean-Rougeau Trophy as the regular season champions with 108 points and then went on a 15-0 run to capture their first President Cup title.

Thereafter, he embarked on a very successful NHL coaching career, becoming the only coach in NHL history to win three Jack Adams trophies: 1988-89, 1992-93, and 1997-98.

He coached the Montreal Canadiens, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils. In 2002-03, he led the Devils to their third Stanley Cup conquest.

"The QMJHL has lost a great ambassador," said Commissioner Gilles Courteau. "Pat Burns was a legend and he will be dearly missed."

The QMJHL as well as its teams and alumni would like to offer its condolences to the entire family.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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