Burns to miss NHL season because of cancer

Prayers for Coach Burns. For all you NHL haters please refrain from the "didn't everyone miss the NHL season" remarks. This one's for the fans of hockey.

1 posted on 07/09/2005 8:48:20 AM PDT by Hat-Trick

To: SZonian; retrokitten; hollywood; Alberta's Child; 6323cd; Betis70; ColoCdn; airborne; k2afe; ...

Hockey Ping!

Here is the rest of the article: NEW YORK - (KRT) - The Devils will have a new coach next season, now that Pat Burns has been stricken a second time by cancer.

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello confirmed on Friday that Burns, who announced he had colon cancer following the 2003-04 season, had undergone a second cancer operation last week. Burns has left the hospital, is recuperating at home and soon will begin another round of chemotherapy. This cancer diagnosis is not believed to be related to the first.

Because of this, the Devils will name a new coach "in the near future," Lamoriello said - not an interim one. Lamoriello said he didn't want there to be any misunderstanding.

"Pat's going to devote all of his time to his getting better," said Lamoriello, who added that Burns would remain in the organization.

So who is the Devils' next coach? The first name that comes to mind is Larry Robinson, the former Stanley Cup-winning coach and assistant who has remained in the organization as a special assignment coach. Had the lockout-canceled 2004-05 season started on time, Robinson would have filled in for Burns.

But the fact that Lamoriello said he was planning to name a permanent coach - and that he had no comment when asked whether Robinson is a candidate - leads one to wonder whether that's such a sure thing.

Burns, 53, was diagnosed with colon cancer during the 2003-04 season but coached the Devils through the playoffs. The former police officer is a three-time winner of the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year.

"In his mind, I'm sure he thinks this is a minor setback," said Flyers coach and friend Ken Hitchcock. "He'll lick it like he licked the last one."

Freep mail or ping me if you want on or off the Hockey Ping List.

2 posted on 07/09/2005 8:51:13 AM PDT by Hat-Trick (Do you trust a government that cannot trust you with guns?)

3 posted on 07/09/2005 8:54:07 AM PDT by since1868

Assuming of course that there IS a season. This Wing-nut is sad and not very hopeful.

Hell I'd play if covered my expenses. It would be an honor to wear the "Winged Wheel". I believe that most North American players feel that way.

4 posted on 07/09/2005 9:20:31 AM PDT by Mikey_1952

5 posted on 07/09/2005 12:48:49 PM PDT by satchmodog9 (Murder and weather are our only news)

Here is the rest of the article:

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6 posted on 07/09/2005 12:53:45 PM PDT by Willie Green (Some people march to a different drummer - and some people polka)

This cancer diagnosis is not believed to be related to the first.

Thank God for that!

7 posted on 07/10/2005 6:39:22 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it.)

Prayers for a speedy and complete recovery.

8 posted on 07/11/2005 5:00:20 AM PDT by Corporate Law (<>< -- Xavier Basketball - Perennial Slayer of #1 Ranked Teams)

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