Vancouver was like going home for Alex Burrows
Burrows excited to return to Vancouver where he established himself as NHL player
Alex Burrows was welcomed back with open arms on Tuesday night at Rogers Arena.
This wasn’t just any other game for the Senators’ winger. It was his chance to return to the place he called home for 12 NHL seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. He was given a standing ovation by the crowd and both benches after an emotional video tribute during the first television timeout.
Make no mistake, Burrows, 36, made his impact felt here — which is why this night was going to be special.
“I had a chance to talk to him this morning and he seems excited. It’s going to be a special night for him for sure and for the guys in this room who played with him,” said Canucks winger Daniel Sedin after Tuesday’s morning skate.
Sedin has plenty of respect for the way Burrows carved out his career with the Canucks after going undrafted and spending three seasons in the East Coast Hockey League before earning an AHL deal with the Vancouver organization.
“He started out as a fourthline guy (in 2005-06) and he did everything he could to stay on this team and be good for this team,” Sedin added. “That’s something you have to respect and that’s something you want to see from guys nowadays — (players) that do everything they can to stay in the lineup.
“He moved up. He started on the fourth line, moved up to third and then we (Daniel and his brother Henrik Sedin) got a chance to play with him as well and had a lot of success. A big part of that success was him.”
The Senators arrived in Vancouver on Sunday afternoon so the players could get adjusted to the time change. That allowed Burrows the opportunity to catch up with some of his ex-teammates on Monday for dinner.
He said he would be happy to have this game behind him so he can turn the page.
“This city means a lot to me. It has a special place in my heart,” Burrows told a huge media scrum in the Ottawa lockerroom. “I caught up with a few guys (Sunday) night and, once the puck drops, it’s going to be businesslike. We need these points and that’s why we’re here.”
He admitted the tribute would be emotional for him.
“A little bit,” Burrows said. “I spent 12 great years in this city and this team meant a lot to me. I’m sure (the video) is going to be special to me, but at the same time, once it’s all over, I need to focus on my game and helping my team win.”
Naturally, his former teammates were bugging him because they were going to get the chance to play against him for the first time since he was dealt to the Senators at last February’s trade deadline. Winger Jake Virtanen exchanged barbs with Burrows by text message.
“It’ll be great to see Burr. I texted him last night and said I’m coming after him. He replied with some things I probably can’t say,” said Virtanen with a smile.
In Vancouver, Burrows’ actions spoke louder than words. He gave everything he had every time he pulled on the No. 14 jersey for the Canucks. People appreciated his work ethic — it was a big reason why he earned the right to play with the Sedin twins on the club’s top line at one point in his career.
“He meant a lot to this organization,” Daniel Sedin said. “Not only on the ice, but off the ice as well. He did so many great things in this community and meant a lot to the young guys on this team.
“I think he set a great example for how to act inside and outside the locker-room.”
Burrows was trying to take it all in stride, but he wasn’t sure what it was going to feel like to skate here in another uniform.
“I don’t know what it’s going to be like. My main focus will be to play a normal game and try to forget all my old friends on the other team and that jersey on the other team,” Burrows said.
“I’m just going to try to focus on trying to help my team win. It might be hard, but that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
For Burrows, that may have been easier said than done.