Alexandre Burrows to be inducted into the Ring of Honour

[*Buzzsaw*]

Well deserved honour... let's hope we see Alex back in Vancouver in a coaching role sometime in the near future. 

[-Vintage Canuck-]

 

[BCNeil]

get tickets now.  still cheap on stubhub

[-DLC-]

I've just gotta be there.  I will sell my soul to the devil.  

[Jaimito]

Makes sense Sens are playing that night too. 

[spur1]

1 hour ago, debluvscanucks said:

I've just gotta be there.  I will sell my soul to the devil.  

I will think about it. 

[-DLC-]

What Alex Burrows has meant to me

 It started way back at square one...I didn't just glom on, Ron McLean floppy fish style, when Burr got hot and became "a thing" in this league.  When it became fashionable.  Nope...it was a fresh faced rookie who was so nice at the Superskills that he posed for a picture that we connected with and we decided to follow him from that point onward.   Fifteen years ago.

He was a favourite before we even really knew anything about him.  I joked with my daughter (who was in that picture with him) - "yep, he's a keeper".

 

He and Luc, together back then.  The brotherhood was obvious, so much so that I snapped pictures of them on the bench together at the event because I just felt they were special.  Devastatingly, as we all know, Luc never got his time to shine as it was ripped away from him.  And from us.  Awful, and I can't imagine how tough that was for Burr.  He's survived a few tragedies on that bench with his brothers beside him.  The stuff in the trenches that cuts to the core and isn't about winning or losing.  Just loss.  His more than a decade here means he's one of the keepers of the vault, locking down the memories and the stories tight, right next to his heart. And mine/ours.

 

He is resilient.  That much is obvious.

 

My daughter fell away from hockey but, for me, it was my religion by that point...my son and I really bonded over hockey when my marriage fell apart and my ex bolted.  It had pre-dated that and connected me to my Mom/parents, but it was my kids who upped the ante and had hockey etch itself on my mind, body and soul.  Those were our memories, and they were good ones.  The '94 team really was the pedal to the metal point and that truly became "our team" - felt more like family because we were so invested.  But what would follow would really rock that world, when Trevor was traded and that signified that nothing was forever.   Shook us, to our core. Things started to fizzle out in respect to the passion and loyalty we felt - we were crushed and it was a huge period of adjustment and question as guys like Keenan and Messier invaded our bench.  Who the hell even was our team?  Of course, there were still brilliant players and we never would abandon the team...but it felt off.  Different.  There was a numbness and a disconnect for a period.  We hung in there and, over time, things would start to feel normal again but never the same, just bearable.

Then, as my babies grew and no longer wanted to hang with Mom, I really turned to hockey to fill THAT gap as that was a comfortable place for me.  Hockey was my story.  I no longer just watched for fun with the family...I'd become fairly consumed with the game.   I'd meet new hockey friends and create a world around the team and start attending (often on my own).  I started to really live and breathe it...to this day, checking the schedule before I'll accept invitations or plan appointments.

 

After settling back in to hockey and when the shock of the past had subsided,  Burr was a favourite (along with Bieksa).  I saw the heart on the sleeve player who was emotional about the game, like me and he made it fun to watch.   I saw some very Trevor like attributes in how he would try, with all his might, to put the team on his back when needed.

 

Burrows scoring his first goal against Toronto?   Come on, it was written in the cards that this guy would be huge for us.  It was a sign.  

 

His brilliance on the PK had us tops in the league in that department.  He instilled a sense of "it'll be ok...we'll survive this".  He was relentless.   Always.  

 

He had a willingness, early on, to adopt any role that they had for him.   He didn't have to be "the guy" scoring all the goals...he wanted to help "the guys".  That never diminished...he's always just seemingly loved the game and the brotherhood was very important to him.  That guy, scooping the pucks out of the net and high fiving every single player on the team after the game.  He very much exemplified "we're in this thing together".  And that stuff sticks.

 

He and Kes were a riot.  I'd hate them if they weren't on our team...but they were ours.  And, truth be told, I don't think Burr has a mean bone in his body....he was a character and having fun with the ribbing and jawing, even if it did cross the line and he'd get caught up with it.   Momentum more than meanness.  He was abrasive, but I think it was more he just needed some reins or brakes applied at times as things started rolling (boy, do I get that part).  People sneered at his tactics at times but, truth be told, I saw a guy who, if fighting, was reluctant to throw a punch.  I saw a guy holding back...not for fear of fighting, but he appeared to not have it in him to all out hurt a a guy (even if, at times, he had opportunity to).  I swear I saw fake wrestling punches at times if a guy was lying on the ice and Burr had the opportunity.   He didn't seem to want to. I think it's called humanity.

 

When he did things that some, here, would adopt embarrassment over as it was labeled as dirty, I saw a guy often just reacting in the least harmful way possible.  Or, at times, yes...losing it and giving a spear because he took so much of that that, eventually, you do lash out.  Lashing out because passion and emotion are hard to just reel in and there isn't an on/off switch.  But I never saw a guy out there aiming to hurt someone.  Ever.

 

Ever watched him in front of the net, being completely hacked, whacked, crosschecked, etc.  Sometimes, you just lash out and lose it. But it wasn't the same as a guy like Marchand who appears to enjoy the ratty stuff.  Mostly I saw Burr engaged and then looking for a way to get out of it with the least amount of damage caused to all parties.  When you have someone sticking a finger down your throat...you react.   A hair pull is a way to get someone to disengage if it's not in your nature to want to hurt (or be hurt).

But that stuff would have him labeled negatively as floaters on the fence of life who want to be the most popular with the masses will rally the troops against someone in order to feel powerful themselves.  Look at me, calling that guy out ... aren't I awesome?   Ron M...I'm looking at you.   

 

Auger, you too.   

 

Burr was making a name for himself and some took a lazy way of doing their jobs and targeted him.  The NHL, at times, will do that...pick a guy as a scapegoat to demonstrate that they're proactive.  But, if it's pick and choose, it's hardly effective.  And they missed a lot of stuff that he was subjected to.  So yes, over time, if the job isn't being done to correct things and you're the target...you stop caring about right/wrong too.

 

Burr having to take a pre-game skate of shame and humiliation...to fit an agenda because someone felt he'd made them "look bad".  But we're really responsible if/when we look bad so it was a little inappropriate to make it personal in a game you're really supposed to "moderate".  Not get even in.  Auger would be gone shortly thereafter....and that's a damn good thing because we don't need people with vendettas in this game.  Each game should be a fresh slate with no carryover.  

 

I won't swirl in the negativity though because that's just the stale crust of this lovely loaf.  Chuck it out and enjoy the rest.

 

When Burr really started to blossom and recognize his own capabilities, it was jawdropping at times.  You just knew if he got the puck on a breakaway...which he got pretty damn good at, great things could happen.  Even in games we were down and out....he never played like it didn't matter.  It always did to him and that could spark things and turn around what seemed to be the impossible at times.

 

That eye hand (or hand eye?...I always mix them up).   He was so fully focused and engaged that it seemed almost magical at times.  Brilliant.  He had many moments that really proved his worth and his skill.  And he honed in on that end of things as he matured.

 

He became a guy we could count on.  

 

The dragon slaying was such an emotional event for me (I won't retell the story...it wears me out).  For all of us.

 

Burr reminded us we could.  That little engine stuff that means nothing is insurmountable...and, even if it is, you try anyhow.  You chip away and you just never know.

 

That glorious goal will forever truly define him in each and every way.  I am so glad he got that moment of exhilaration and shared it with all around him...we didn't win a cup, but we won that moment and it was part of establishing the fact that we were more than they said we were.  We were good and united and unstoppable.  A team that's taken some hard knocks and has been beat down at times got to celebrate this beautiful game in a way that will never be erased. 

 

Twelve years is a long time to share a journey.  To go to bat for one another.

 

In full circle, my daughter was working one day after Burr had been traded.  She snuck to the bathroom and was giddy as she whispered "OMG Mom, guess who's here???".  "The guy from Mother Mother?".  No.  "That hag who gives you grief because she wants everything free?".  No..."IT'S BURR MOM".

 

And, in true Burr fashion, he ribbed and kidded her then so graciously accepted her offer to teach he and his daughter how to make jewelry.  Because he's not just a Dragon Slayer but he's a Super Dad too.

 

I have to go to work now so will cut it off here (there's so much more that could be said)...but I'm in tears already as I think of tomorrow.

 

Heart on our sleeves Burr...you deserve nothing less.

 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing this journey with us.  I honour you with (cow)bells and whistles.

 

Did we really need him?  Sure did.

 

Deb

[189lb enforcers?]

Redefining the word honour here, but whatever. 

Popular Canuck. 

[JM_]

1 hour ago, 189lb enforcers? said:

Redefining the word honour here, but whatever. 

Popular Canuck. 

thats the point.  

[189lb enforcers?]

16 minutes ago, Jimmy McGill said:

thats the point.  

I get this, I just don’t agree in principle with a circus act like Burrows’ antics being something linked with the word, but I get the need to bond it with the fans - in that ring. 

 

KB was popular.

Kes was popular.

Eddy Lack was popular. 

 

Ohlund and his kind were popular for how they played the game, which I know Burr fought hard for the sweater too, but Burr helped ruin this franchises legacy with acting like he did here, unlike those other guys in the Ring. 

 

IMO, placing Burr up there is a departure from the standard. I get it, I do, I just don’t agree. 

Behaviours demonstrate Culture. 

Burrows’ behaviour was scandalous at best.

 

I never identified with Burrows like I did the other members of the Ring. 

The Ring can and does mean different things to different fans. 

 

I said my part and won’t soil the celly-vibe for fellow fans in the thread. Enjoy your party. 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by 189lb enforcers?

[JM_]

Just now, 189lb enforcers? said:

I get this, I just don’t agree in principle with a circus act like Burrows’ Antics being something liked with the word, but I get the need to bond it with the fans in that ring. 

 

KB was popular.

Kes was popular.

Eddy Lack was popular. 

 

Ohlund and his kind were popular for how they played the game, which I know Burr fought hard for the sweater too, but Burr helped ruin this franchises legacy with acting like he did here, unlike what those guys in the Ring. 

 

IMO, placing Burr up there is a departure from the standard. I get it, I do, I just don’t agree. 

Behaviours demonstrate Culture. 

Burrows’ behaviour was scandalous at best.

 

I never identified with Burrows like I did the other members of the Ring. 

The Ring can and does mean different things to different fans. 

 

I said my part and win’t soil the celly-vibe for fellow fans in the thread. 

 

 

all fair enough. I did like tho that when teams took things too far with us, someone was going to get a stick in the ribs. I guess I'm old school that way. 

 

 

[theo5789]

We should probably pin that "Burrows, do we really need him?" thread for a final time to reminisce.

[Squamfan]

On 6/21/2019 at 5:31 PM, King Heffy said:

Well deserved recognition.  He was the heart and soul of the team during his prime and gave it his all no matter what role he was given, without a word of complaint.

 

It's CDC tradition to bring back the minus for Burr's milestones... Just saying.

canucks should bring auger and make burrows give him a stunner