Former NHL coach Pat Burns has died at the age of 58 after a battle with terminal lung cancer, according to media reports. Burns was a Stanley Cup champion with the 2002-03 New Jersey Devils.
He had reportedly returned recently to his home in the Quebec town of Magog from Florida.
Burns, who won the Jack Adams Trophy as NHL coach of the year on three occasions, coached three of the Original Six teams – the Montreal Canadiens, starting in 1988-89, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins – in addition to the Devils.
He made his last public appearance last March when Stanstead, Que., announced it would build a new arena in his name.
There was considerable debate over the fact that Burns, despite his obvious bench success, did not make the cut for the Hockey Hall of Fame last spring.
Burns was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004 and liver cancer in 2005, the latter forcing him to retire from coaching. He revealed he had lung cancer in 2009.
With files from Postmedia News
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