Pat Burns Snub By Hockey Hall Of Fame Hard To Take

The Hockey Hall of Fame committee consists of 18 people, including the likes of Pat Quinn, Scotty Bowman, Colin Campbell, John Davidson, James Gregory, David Branch, Harry Sinden, Michael Farber, Serge Savard, Lanny McDonald and eight others.

Of those 18 a total of 14 committee members must select a nominee on their ballets. Monday night, Burns fell short, which has enraged a number of hockey fans, players, current Hall of Fame members and writers alike.

In order for a player, coach or otherwise, to be selected to the Hockey Hall Of Fame he or she must qualify under one or more of three categories:

1) The builder category

2) The Player Category

3) The referee/Linesman category

As an NHL coach, Burns would qualify under the Builder category.

Why Burns?

It’s pretty simple. Pat Burns owns one of the most impressive coaching records in NHL history. Through 1019 career NHL games split between the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils, Burns earned a record of 501-353-151-14.

Burns is the only three-time winner of the coveted Jack Adams Trophy (given out each season to the NHL’s top head coach), winning one in 1989 with the Montreal Canadiens, his second in 1993 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and his third in 1998 with the New Jersey Devils (where he also won the Stanley Cup ’93).

It is widely thought that if not for Burns’ battles with cancer (which forced him to retire from coaching) that Burns would have earned another 300-500 more wins and, perhaps, another Stanley Cup.

While Burns has received a lot of support from the likes of Facebook polls, sports columnists and current Hockey Hall of Fame members due to the fact that Burns may not live another year due to the severity of his cancer, it should be noted that, given his accomplishments and numbers, Burns deserves to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame, regardless.

I mean, would it have killed (pardon the pun) the committee to speed things up a bit so that Burns could see himself elected into the Hall? Why not this year? Why not now?

Sadly, we may never know just how close Burns came to getting into the Hockey Hall of Fame as all committee members are held to strict guidelines that stipulate they may not comment on any of the candidates that were debated other than the ones that get in.

Here is the Hockey Hall of Fame's current position on these matters from their official website:

“The names of persons who are nominated for election as Honored Members, but who are not elected as such, shall not be disclosed at any time to any person (including those who are nominated) other than members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, Board of Directors and Executive Officers.

No member of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee or any other person present at the Annual Elections Meeting shall disclose to any person how any member of the Selection Committee voted on the election of any particular candidate (including the particulars of the balloting)”.

The point is, Pat Burns should have been selected. Imagine the good will and elation for Burns should he have been elected?

Sadly, Burns may pass away not knowing if he will be elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and that is an absolute joke and tragedy.

I am reminded of a quote from the movie A Few Good Men:

When the verdict of a long murder trial comes back not guilty but also carries a dishonorable discharge of his clients, Lieutenant Junior Grade Daniel Kaffee (the defendant’s lawyer, played by Tom Cruise) says to Lance Corporal Harold W. Dawson as he is leaving the court: “You don't need a patch on your arm to have honor.”

I would say there is no better quote to describe how many of us feel about Pat Burns. He doesn’t need the Hockey Hall of Fame to know just how good a coach he was; he doesn’t need the Hockey Hall of Fame to know how good a hockey man and human being he is.

Make no mistake about it, this rant isn't about a sympathy vote, this is about doing what's right for the best interest of hockey.

Sure, the Hockey Hall of fame may chose to select Pat Burns in the next couple of years, that said, they blew a chance to do what was right, that is to say, they should have voted Pat Burns in yesterday.  Sadly, they didn’t.

For more NHL news and notes check out my website at www.theslapshot.com

Until next time,

Peace!