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Pat Burns checks into hospital

Pat Burns;

Former National Hockey League head coach Pat Burns, who is battling lung cancer, speaks to reporters at the announcing of a new arena to be named after Burns, on Friday, March 26, 2010, in Stanstead, Quebec.(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

AP

I’ve said my piece about allowing Pat Burns into the Hall of Fame early (at least, if voters deem him worthy in the first place) because it always seems extra-tragic when someone is inducted posthumously. I don’t think I’m the only person who was hoping that such a thought would not come to the forefront again so soon, as the former Stanley Cup winning coach’s health continues to sadly deteriorate. The CBC reports that Burns was recently admitted to a hospital.

Former NHL coach Pat Burns, stricken with terminal lung cancer, has been admitted to hospital in Florida, according to reports.

Burns was hospitalized outside Tampa, Fla., on Sunday - his 58th birthday - according to Montreal sports radio station CKAC.

Jeez, on his birthday? That’s not cool at all. I’ll leave you with this quote from Burns’ recent press conference, in which he looked disconcertingly frail (and was honest about his grim health situation) but also positive about the big picture.

“As your life gets closer to the end, you realize that your body gets weaker, you mind works harder but your heart gets softer. You get closer to family, you get closer to God, and there are things that you realize along the way.

“I probably won’t see the final project,” Burns told guests at the gathering, including former colleagues, players and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“But I know one thing, is that when I’m looking down, j’espère que je vais regarder et voir un jeune Mario Lemieux ou Wayne Gretzky apparaître (I hope I will see a young Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky appear).”

Let’s hope he won’t be “looking down” from up high anytime soon. Best wishes to Burns and his family.