- Former policeman
- NHL head coach Montreal (1988-1992), Toronto (1992-1996), Boston (1998-2000).
- His record was 501-353-151. In the 1988-1989 season, his Canadiens lost the Stanley Cup finals to the Calgary Flames.
- He was the first coach to win three Jack Adams Awards as N.H.L.'s top coach one each for Boston, Toronto, and Montreal hockey teams.
- He coached the New Jersey Devils to a Stanley Cup title in 2003 in his first season as coach. He also coached Montreal Canadiens; the Toronto Maple Leafs; and the Boston Bruins leading them to the Stanley Cup finals.
- His last official appearance was in early October 2010 when he attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a hockey arena to be named in his honor in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada.
- He is survived by his wife, Line Burns; a daughter, Maureen Burns; a son, Jason Burns; a stepdaughter Stephanie; a stepson, Maxime; and a grandson.
- His first full-time coaching job came in 1984 when he coached the Hull Olympiques in the Quebec Junior Hockey League. He later went to the Sherbrooke Canadiens, a minor league affiliate of Montreal.
- He was a police officer for the Gatineau, Quebec, Canada for 16-17 years.
- Cousin of Robin Burns, a former N.H.L. player.
- He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004 and liver cancer in 2005. In January 2010, the cancer spread to his lungs.
- (April 18) Annouced he has colon cancer and will immediately begin treatment, a day after his team, the defending Stanley Cup champions New Jersey Devils, were knocked out of the playoffs. (2004)
- Head coach of New Jersey Devils (2002)
- His remains were cremated, his ashes were placed in an urn shaped like the Stanley Cup.
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