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We do it because of his grand act of defiance, when he stood up for what was right to Stephane Auger and the NHL, even though by doing it he ensured he’d never again get the benefit of the doubt from officials.

We do it because everyone else kept dismissing him. Too slow. No skill. Can’t shoot. Can’t play.

Boy, were they wrong.

That’s the part that is so often missed when fans and media from other cities analyze Burrows. The man could play hockey. He understood it and could explain it as well as any player you’ll ever come across.

“He really knows the game,” Daniel said. “His intellect always stood out. In PK and power-play meetings, he would always come up with solutions. It was a lot of fun just talking about the game with him.”

It sure was, and that’s why there should be a place for him in it now, as his playing days have come to an end. He aspires to be an executive and, with his knowledge, teams should be lining up to put him on that path.

Vancouver will always be a Burrows town. He did everything he could to bring this city a Stanley Cup. There was never a moment when you didn’t think he was doing everything he could to try to get the Canucks the next win.

It was there even when he left. Part of the reason he decided to accept the trade to Ottawa and move his young family was because he knew it was best for the future of the Canucks franchise.

And long after he was gone, he’d reach out to Jake Virtanen. He’d push him. He’d motivate him. He’d promise him good things were going to happen.

Virtanen could barely believe it. But that’s the type of player Burrows is.

The type of man that if you meet him, and get to know him, you will never forget him.

jbotchford@postmedia.com

twitter.com/botchford

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