For the last decade, Alex Burrows has given his heart and soul to the Vancouver Canucks and their fans.
The enigmatic winger’s story is well-travelled. He toiled in the ECHL and the AHL for more than 200 games before finally earning his shot with the Canucks during the 2005-06 season.
After earning a call-up midway through that season, he never looked back. His tenacious attitude and agitating play quickly made him a fan favourite. Although, as Canucks fans would learn, he had a knack for scoring goals as well.
He was loathed by those outside of Vancouver and loved by the fans in this hockey-mad market. While many merely saw him as a pest and an agitator, Canucks fans saw someone who would always stick up for his teammates while giving 110 percent every night.
On Saturday night when he scored in the shootout versus Edmonton, Canucks fans may have witnessed the final goal from Burrows. After putting the puck in the net, he did his signature bow-and-arrow celebration that he’s done many times over the years, as a tribute to late Canuck Luc Bourdon. Amongst the chaos in this tepid Canucks season, it was a moment where all Canucks fans could smile.
He further endeared himself to the fans with every clutch goal he scored. From the goal that turned around the Canucks season in 2009 to the chilling call from John Shorthouse when Burrows “slayed the dragon” against Chicago, the winger from Pincourt had a knack for scoring goals in big games.
Including playoffs, Burrows scored 203 goals in a Canucks uniform. Here’s a look at some of his most memorable goals as a member of the Canucks.
#10: First NHL Goal
Shortly after earning a call-up from the Manitoba Moose, Burrows scored against Ed Belfour of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was his first of 189 regular season goals that Burrows has scored as a Canuck.
#9: Fastest Goal to Start a Game in Canucks History
In the Canucks’ first game sporting the vintage Vancouver Millionaires jerseys, Burrows scored on a feed from Daniel Sedin just six seconds into the game. It was the fastest goal to start a game in Canucks history, and one second off of the NHL record held by three different players.
#8: Back-to-Back Hat Tricks
Burrows joined some elite company in 2010 by registering hat tricks in back-to-back games.
First, he scored three against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Two nights later, he scored three more against the Phoenix Coyotes.
#7: Two Goals in 17 Seconds
Burrows showed his ability to score goals in bunches against the Philadelphia Flyers last season, when he scored the game winner and an insurance marker in 17 seconds en route to a Canucks victory.
#6: Burrows’ Shorthanded Game-Winner Turns Season Around
The Canucks went into a game on Feb. 3, 2009, against Carolina as losers of eight straight games, with their playoff chances fading.
Late in the third period, the Canucks were tied 3-3 with the Hurricanes when Alex Burrows went in on a shorthanded breakaway.
After that game, the Canucks would win 20 of their next 26 games over the next two months as they narrowly beat out the Calgary Flames for the Pacific Division crown.
#5: Burrows Shines After Bourdon Tribute
The Canucks’ season opener against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 9, 2008, was an emotional night. The Canucks paid tribute to the late Luc Bourdon, who was good friends with Burrows.
It’s hard to fathom a home opener being more emotional than this one.
It would have been understandable if Burrows’ head wasn’t in the game, but instead he put on a show with two goals in a 6-1 drubbing of Calgary. It was the first sighting of the bow-and-arrow tribute to Bourdon.
Burrows scores his first goal just after the two minute mark.
#4: Series-clincher versus St. Louis
At the time, Burrows scored what would have been the biggest goal of his career in 2009 against the St. Louis Blues. His goal in overtime propelled the Canucks to the second round of the playoffs, and the first of three straight series against the Chicago Blackhawks.
#3: Burrows opens scoring in Game 7
Burrows stepped up in a major way during one of the biggest games in Canucks history. After losing three straight games and blowing a 3-0 series lead, Burrows opened up the scoring in Game 7.
#2: Stanley Cup Final Magic
Ready to get some goosebumps? Burrows sent Canucks nation into pandemonium with his overtime winner against the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, just 11 seconds into the extra frame.
#1: Slaying the Dragon
Not only was this easily the biggest goal of Burrows’ career, it was arguably the biggest goal in Canucks history.
Are any other goals from Burrows among your most memorable? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.