Adam Burish made a bit of stir yesterday when video was circulated of him stating after the Hawks’ win that he thought Chris Pronger was “the biggest idiot in the league” and that he’d punch him in the face if he saw him again.
The immediate response was one of incredulity, as most couldn’t believe someone like Burish would call out a player like Pronger like that, especially after he had just won the Stanley -- from the press box. Burish was certainly effective, at times, but when the Blackhawks really started to roll he couldn’t find his way onto the ice. Meanwhile, Pronger was getting nearly 30 minutes of ice time a game while cementing his place in the NHL as one of the greatest defensemen of the modern era.
Disagree with his tactics, claim you hate how he seems to get away with so much, but the fact remains that Chris Pronger is still one of the best in the NHL. Burish may have made himself a bit of a cult hero for speaking his mind, but in the end it was a bit classless. Ok, it was definitely classless.
Pronger asked, “Did he play?” and said he didn’t comment on players who want 5 minutes of fame.
When Pronger was told that Burish said he wanted to punch him next time they saw each other, Pronger cracked: “Where’s that? In the minors?”