Remembering Pat Burns

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Times sports columnist Helene Elliott, who wrote the news obituary of three-time NHL coach of the year Pat Burns, takes another look back at Burns’ life and hockey career in Tuesday’s column. Burns’ colleagues and former players remember him for his hockey insights, but also the life lessons he taught them.

And they are honoring him publicly, as Elliott’s column notes:

Burns’ funeral will take place Nov. 29 in Montreal, but NHL teams began honoring him last weekend. Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who received an encouraging note from Burns before the season began, inscribed Burns’ initials on his mask. The Devils, who employed him as a scout, will wear a black patch on their uniforms with his initials embroidered in white. The uniforms will be auctioned for the benefit of La Maison Aube Lumiere, the cancer hospice where Burns died.

For more on Pat Burns, read the rest of Elliott’s column and her news obituary on the police officer turned hockey coach.

-- Claire Noland

Upper photo: Pat Burns in 1997, when he was coaching the Boston Bruins.

Lower photo: New Jersey Devils player Patrik Elias wearing a black ‘PB’ patch on his jersey in honor of Burns. Credit: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images