Canucks & Beyond
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Burrows: The Unnatural
by Alanah McGinley on 11/05/08 at 01:52 PM ET
Comments (6)
While I personally almost never shut up about my appreciation of Alex Burrows, it often seems like most of the league (aside from Canucks fans obviously) has no idea who the guy is.
So you can imagine my surprise and delight at seeing this in the latest Sports Illustrated posting by Michael Farber, titled: The NHL’s 5 Stealth MVPs where Burrows weighed in at #4:
On a team dominated by goalie (and captain) Roberto Luongo and featuring Daniel and Henrik Sedin, de facto first-line players, Burrows is a hard-working, under-the-radar guy. The Unnatural.
Burrows bounced around with three different ECHL franchises, slowly climbing his way to the AHL and then the NHL. He brings energy and attitude, in a good, non-Sean Avery kind of way while driving opponents to distraction. He spends more time in the penalty box than perhaps he should for a player with more than a modicum of skill—he had four goals and nine points in Vancouver’s first 12 games - but Burrows rarely takes retaliatory penalties. In a league where twosomes have overshadowed the traditional trio, he and center Ryan Kesler form one of the NHL’s finest workingman’s pairs.
A pretty good assessment, really. And Burrows getting recognition from SI? That’s practically supernova status for our entertaining agitator. 
For anyone with a few minutes to spare, here’s a short clip on Burrows as he talks about his career and what drives him:
Filed in: vancouver canucks | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Tags: alex+burrows,
Comments
I think you’re right—fans aren’t as aware (at least, fans outside the NW Division) but players probably are.
And I agree, it’s good seeing Kesler get recognition, too; I just think Burrows has lived even further under the radar his first couple seasons.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 11/05/08 at 08:41 PM ET
Remember when Canucks fans were grumbling about his one-way contract a couple of years ago? There seemed to be the fan consensus back then that he was one of those utterly replaceable fourth-liners.
Posted by Jeremy from Summerland on 11/05/08 at 09:02 PM ET
Alanah,
First off, I love your articles and secondly I share your enthusiasm about our favorite player, Alexander Burrows.
I have been a fan of Alex Burrows since the beginning of his NHL career and I have always been adamant that the later half of last season was no fluke. I told all my friends and family that this season would be his break out year, that he would step up his game and be a driving force behind this team. Now that he has a couple years of experience under his belt, I’m glad to see my assessment looks to be coming to fruition.
The one thing I like most about Alex Burrows is his consistent high work ethic. He never quits! I ponied up in April this year and got an authentic home jersey with #14 and Burrows on the back and proudly wear it for every game. I still have the season opener recorded on my PVR and I doubt I’ll ever delete it. Now if only I could get my jersey signed I’d be extremely happy. Any way you could pull some strings Alanah?
Posted by Stellar Jay from British Columbia on 11/05/08 at 09:09 PM ET
Jeremy -- I do remember those grumbling fans. I just want you to remember I was never one of them!
Stellar -- Thank you very much for the nice comment. And geez, I’m jealous of the Burrows jersey. I’m almost scared to own one for fear that as soon as I do, Gillis will trade the guy.
As for getting it signed… sadly, you overestimate my ability to pull strings. I doubt I could pull enough strings to even get one of the guys selling beer at GM Place to sign your jersey! (Although that’s debatable… the beer staff might actually consider me personal friend...) 
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 11/05/08 at 09:31 PM ET
“And Burrows getting recognition from SI?”
And I didn’t know Sports Illustrated recognizes that hockey still exists, especially outside Crosby and Ovechkin, if they’re mentioned at all.
Seriously, before the Sedins woke up and Wellwood was brought back, it was Burrows, Kesler and Hansen who kept Canuck Nation from having their annual coronaries early. Here’s hoping they keep it up consistently the rest of the way!
Posted by Rick from Vancouver on 11/06/08 at 01:45 PM ET
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About Canucks & Beyond
Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003, sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen. In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah is one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast, as featured at Canucks.com.
She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York Times Slapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.
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Pretty cool to see him (and Kesler) getting that kind of recognition. It seems like players on other teams know about them too...maybe just not fans elsewhere.
Posted by Jeremy from Summerland on 11/05/08 at 04:29 PM ET