Former Boston Bruins head coach Pat Burns has died at age 58 after a long-term battle with cancer.
Burns coached the Bruins in a total of 254 games from 1997-2000. During that time he led the team to the playoffs twice and received the Jack Adams Award following the 1997-98 season. He was one of only three coaches in club history to earn that honor.
Boston Bruins president Cam Neely issued a statement Friday regarding the passing of coach Burns.
"On behalf of the Jacobs family and the entire Boston Bruins family, I would like to express our deep sorrow on the passing of Pat Burns," Neely said. "Pat was a great coach and more importantly a wonderful man. The Bruins are honored to have him as a part of our history. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Burns family."
Burns also coached the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils. In his first year as an NHL coach in 1988, he led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup but lost the series. However, he led the Devils to win 2003 Stanley Cup title.
Burns was the first coach in NHL history to win three Jack Adams Awards as NHL's top coach.
