Pat Burns, Facebook and the Hockey Hall of Fame
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Recently, we told you about the social media campaign we started to get former NHL coach Pat Burns inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010 (Burns has terminal lung cancer). Over the course of a few weeks, more than 70,000 people joined the group, helping to generate extensive media coverage for the cause.
The Hall announced their 2010 inductees in late June and to the amazement of many, Burns was not included in this year's class. His omission generated a significant amount of negative media coverage for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Here's a sampling:
The Globe and Mail: What were the Hockey Hall of Fame voters thinking?
Toronto Sun: Hall of Fame could have done something special
New York Post: Former Devils coach Burns stabbed in the plaque
NHL Hot Stove: HHOF says 'Thanks, but no thanks' to Pat Burns
National Post: Opening doors to Hall of shame
ESPN: Hall selection process needs big overhaul
The New Jersey Star-Ledger: Pat burns fails to be elected to Hockey Hall of Fame
Yahoo Sports: In Hall of Fame Class of 2010 roll call, it's all about the absences
Fanhouse: Hall of Fame election committee member acknowledges Burns snub
Inside Halton: Campaign a success despite Burns being overlooked for Hall of Fame
A big thanks goes out to all of the reporters across North America who supported this campaign from its earliest days and who took the HHOF to task for this bewildering error in judgment. I owe each of you a cold beer. Email me if you'd like to collect.
Burns will be inducted some day. But instead of making the speech himself, it will likely be his wife or one of his children. That's a shame. The HHOF missed a great opportunity to do the right thing for one of their own. Here's hoping the former coach is still with us in 2011 when we try again.