Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the death of Pat Burns

November 19, 2010
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement today on the death of retired National Hockey League coach Pat Burns:

"It is with great sadness that I extend condolences on behalf of all Canadians to Pat Burns' family as they mourn the loss of their husband and father, who died after a long and valiant fight with cancer.

"Pat Burns was a giant in the world of hockey, from coaching at the local level while serving his community as a police officer for many years, to four years coaching at the junior level and 14 seasons working with some of the NHL's most talented players, including four years each behind the bench of the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leading the New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup in 2002-03 and winning the Jack Adams Award a record three times, Pat Burns knew how to get the best out of his players by demanding the best of himself.

"I had the privilege of meeting with Pat Burns in March when the Government of Canada joined with the City of Stanstead and the Government of Quebec to announce that a new hockey arena would be built and named in honour of a man best known for his tough and gritty approach to the game of hockey. He met his final and most difficult battle with that same tough and gritty spirit.

"Canada has lost a sports legend today, but Pat Burns' legacy will live on in the players and coaches whose careers he touched, as well as the young people who will skate in the Pat Burns Arena for years to come. He will not soon be forgotten."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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