by Farhan Devji

In less than one year, Team Canada will set foot on enemy hardwood in Plzen, Czech Republic with the hopes of bringing home a fifth consecutive World Ball Hockey Championship. A legacy of excellence that Vancouver Canucks’ forward Alexandre Burrows played a significant role in creating.

And in less that one month, the Montreal Red Lite will embark on a mission to capture their eighth consecutive National Ball Hockey Championship, a feat that no other club team in the history of Canadian sports has ever accomplished. It’s seemingly fitting that this year’s National Ball Hockey Championships will be held in Vancouver (August 4th to 9th at the Bill Copeland and Burnaby Lake Arenas), because Alexandre Burrows also played a crucial role in establishing Montreal’s ongoing dynasty.

Although for the second straight year, Burrows will not be able to join his team in their conquest to victory, according to the Canucks’ Director of Media Relations T.C. Carling. And yet, not a soul in the ball hockey world is questioning his decision.

“He is too valuable [to the Canucks] and we want what is best for him,” said Team Canada head coach George Gortsos, who has coached Burrows on numerous occasions at the national level. “He has done so much for the sport of ball hockey that we know he has another game to master now.”

According to Gortsos – who was one of the most celebrated ball hockey players in his time – a large portion of Burrows’ development can be attributed to his experiences at previous national tournaments with the Montreal Red Lite. And he believes that if more professional teams start to take notice of the ball hockey scene, they will start to reap the benefits.

“My personal thought process is if NHL GM's and hockey staff really new how highly skilled and intense our national finals were, they would see a huge benefit of cross training, skill development and gain for their players,” said Gortsos – who will be scouting at the upcoming tournament in Vancouver for the 2009 national squad. “Especially if there was a player who was not a finished product and could gain from that experience, like Alex was many years ago. I think that we could help a lot of players who are on the edge of a NHL career. There is a lot to be gained.”

And Alexandre Burrows is a prime example of that. In addition to his dominance at the national level with Montreal, he excelled in international competition with Team Canada. In 2005, Burrows was named the International Player of the Year – awarded to the best player in the world by the ISBHF, which is the world governing body of the sport.

“He has been an integral part of our Canadian dynasty, spearheading our offense and leading our team in 2003 and 2005 to gold,” said Gortsos. “My recollection is that the bigger the game against the Czechs or the Slovaks, our archrivals, the better he played.”

What made Alexandre Burrows such a force to be reckoned with as a ball hockey player, and will this ever translate to the NHL?

“He is only starting now to show the great hands and vision he has and I think this is the part of his game that Canucks fans will begin to see as he gains more confidence,” said Gortsos. “As a ball hockey player, these moves and vision made him a dangerous player. Combine that with his internal fire to play hockey and you have a wonderful ball hockey player with exquisite hands. A power play wizard, along with my first choice to kill penalties.”

In addition to his dominance on the hardwood, Burrows was a consummate leader with the Canadian squad, quite simply because he cared. And last season, Canucks fans began to learn the very same thing. At this point, it seems implausible that Burrows would be even considered for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team, but if he continues to progress, this may not be out of the question. Burrows’ character coupled with his experience as a leader with Canada at the ball hockey level already gives him an advantage.

“Alex represented his country with great pride and our program will forever be grateful,” said Gortsos. “When we named him one of the captains of our national team in a team meeting you could tell how proud he was; he was visibly moved and honored to be a captain on Team Canada. I think this achievement of becoming a World Champ, playing for Canada and leading a team in scoring, and [having the] responsibility to produce galvanized his belief in his abilities and assisted him in his growth.”

Even though Alexandre Burrows is now a ‘Canuck” of a different sort, nothing has changed. Not only was he named Vancouver’s “unsung hero” last season, he was also recognized as the team’s “most exciting player.”

Years ago, Gortsos told Scott Howson – who is now the General Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets – that Burrows would be a “tremendous player in the NHL.” The Canucks are hoping that he was right. But one thing is for certain, Alexandre Burrows has left a legacy in the ball hockey world that will never be forgotten, no matter what he does in the NHL.

“Alex is in the group of two to three of the best forwards to ever play the game,” said Gortsos. “He’s one of the greatest players in ball hockey history, pure and simple.”

Farhan Devji is the author of a fictional hockey based novel, “The Hockey Farmer.” For more information, visit thehockeyfarmer.ca.tp.