Robin Arthur Burns (born August 27, 1946) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He is the cousin of coach Pat Burns.
Playing career Burns is the son of the late Robert and Eileen Burns. Robert Burns was an employee of the Montreal Transportation Commission. At age nine, Burns was diagnosed with osteomyelitis in his right leg. He endured five months of the leg being encased in a cast. (Icing on the Plains: The Rough Ride of Kansas City's NHL Scouts, p. 150, Troy Treasure, Balboa Press).
Following a season for the Montreal Notre Dame de Grace Monarchs, Burns went on to play three years with the Montreal Junior Canadiens and another two with the Houston Apollos of the Central Hockey League (CHL).
"In a 10 page sports section, the Houston Apollos were on page 10. You had the Oilers and the Astrodome, the Eighth Wonder of the World," Burns told Treasure in 2018. "Being away from Montreal for the first time, my first Christmas in Houston was a shock. It was pleasant and 70. In Montreal, it was -20. It was strange to be around the pool at Christmas time." (pp. 150-151)
After spending a season with the Montreal Voyageurs of the American Hockey League (AHL), Burns was traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Pittsburgh Penguins for cash in 1970. Most of his time with in the Penguins organization was spent with the AHL's Hershey Bears, whom he helped lead to the 1974 Calder Cup by recording 10 goals and 14 points in 14 playoff games. In June 1974, Burns was claimed by the Kansas City Scouts in the expansion draft. He posted his best seasons with the Scouts but was phased out as the team rebuilt for their move to Colorado. In 190 regular-season games, Burns recorded 31 goals and 38 assists for 69 points.
Following his playing career, Burns and his wife Fran studied polycarbonate and created the protective hockey visor while establishing Itech. Burns was also a coach's agent representing his cousin Pat, as well as John Tortorella, Alain Vigneault, Michel Therrien, and Dave King. (Icing on the Plains: The Rough Ride of Kansas City's NHL Scouts, p. 246, Troy Treasure, Balboa Press).
Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1963–64 Montreal NDG Monarchs MMHJL 44 13 16 29 50 18 3 5 8 27 1963–64 Montreal NDG Monarchs Mem-Cup — — — — — 13 3 5 8 14 1964–65 Montreal Junior Canadiens OHA 39 1 5 6 0 — — — — — 1965–66 Montreal Junior Canadiens OHA 42 6 2 8 97 — — — — — 1966–67 Montreal Junior Canadiens OHA 46 11 12 23 99 — — — — — 1967–68 Houston Apollos CPHL 65 21 25 46 41 — — — — — 1968–69 Houston Apollos CHL 61 12 18 30 63 3 0 0 0 0 1969–70 Montreal Voyageurs AHL 62 13 7 20 33 8 0 1 1 0 1970–71 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 10 0 3 3 4 — — — — — 1970–71 Amarillo Wranglers CHL 46 16 24 40 49 — — — — — 1971–72 Hershey Bears AHL 65 18 15 33 58 4 1 1 2 10 1971–72 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 5 0 0 0 8 — — — — — 1972–73 Hershey Bears AHL 39 22 25 47 51 — — — — — 1972–73 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 26 0 2 2 20 — — — — — 1973–74 Hershey Bears AHL 74 31 35 66 77 14 10 4 14 6 1974–75 Kansas City Scouts NHL 71 18 15 33 70 — — — — — 1975–76 Kansas City Scouts NHL 78 13 18 31 37 — — — — — NHL totals 190 31 38 69 139 — — — — —
Transactions On October 10, 1970 the Montreal Canadiens traded Robin Burns to the Pittsburgh Penguins. On June 12, 1974 the Kansas City Scouts claimed Robin Burns from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft.
References
External links