Emotional tribute to Pat Burns highlights Hall of Fame inductions

TORONTO - When a campaign tried to get an ailing Pat Burns elected to the Hall of Fame in the summer of 2010, Jason Burns had to pass along the news to his dad that he didn't make it.

"'Cheer up, Jason, I'll get in there someday, probably,'" Jason said the three-time coach of the year told him. "You better get a speech ready because you're the one going up there for me."

Jason and Burns' widow, Line, captured the late Burns' personality perfectly in the emotional highlight of the evening of the Hall of Fame inductions.

While Burns, Rob Blake, Peter Forsberg, Dominik Hasek, Mike Modano and referee Bill McCreary were inducted, plenty of attention was paid to those who couldn't be there.

Forsberg honored his late agent, Don Baizley, during his acceptance speech. Best wishes were extended to family of Gordie Howe, the 86-year-old Hall of Famer whose health has taken a turn for the worse.

Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray, who's battling cancer, and ailing Jean Beliveau were also brought up by Commissioner Gary Bettman, and a health issue prevented Hall chairman Pat Quinn from attending the ceremonies.

But center stage was taken by the family of Pat Burns, who died four years ago on Wednesday.

Jason said that his dad dictated to him who he should recognize in his speech, and the list included New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, players and fans.

"He was a passionate guy," Jason said. "He was always a strong character."

Burns finished with 501 regular-season wins, won the 2003 Stanley Cup with the Devils and captured the Jack Adams Award with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins.

"Pat had two goals: winning and making a difference," Line Burns said.

Some other highlights from the night:

-Watching the career highlights of Hasek and getting to see again the fantastic acrobatic saves he made. He said his trade to the Buffalo Sabres allowed his career to flourish, and he credited goalie coach Mitch Korn for not trying to change his unorthodox style.

-Blake talking about growing up on a farm in Ontario and the values he learned there. He also invited his wife and children onto the stage to share the honor with him.

-Forsberg saying he retired "like 17 times" and noting that Blake had "a big ass," a reference to Blake's unique style of checking with his backside.

-Modano tearing up as he acknowledged his parents, wife and newborns in the audience.

-McCreary making a joke about his eyesight before starting his speech.

-Chicago Blackhawks announcer Pat Foley earlier in the day using his Foster Hewitt Award acceptance speech to tout the Hall of Fame candidacies of former Blackhawks Steve Larmer and Doug Wilson.

Line Burns had the most poignant line of the night when she mentioned her husband's battle with cancer.

"Healthy Pat coached the Canadiens, the Maple Leafs, the Bruins and the Devils," she added. "He taught them how to win: tall, proud, intense, true. Unhealthy Pat taught me, our family our friends, how to live and how to survive: tall, proud, intense, true."