Brian Burke defends Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke may be one of the most outspoken front office people in the National Hockey League today, but he is always quick to rise to the occasion
and defend his players, should it be required.
Burke has recently come to the defence of Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf, who has been taking a lot of heat from the Leafs’ often volatile fan base. The fans booed the defenceman every
time he touched the puck during the Leafs’ 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, 30 October.
According to TSN, Burke reported, “I don’t think some of our fans realize the extent of what Dion has done for this organization, on and off the ice,” Burke said.
“Off the ice, he’s done tremendous charity work and more than any other individual, [he] has gone out of his way to change the attitude in our dressing room with our players.”
Among the many things that Burke believes in is the right to freedom of speech. He knows that the Leafs’ fans are huge supporters of the team, but when things go wrong, they immediately
make themselves heard. Burke says that the fans have a right to express themselves any way they want, as long as it’s not racist or vulgar. He has called the booing of Phaneuf a “disgraceful” act.
“Are they entitled to do it?” said Burke. “Sure, they are. And I honestly don’t believe it was a lot of them. It doesn’t take many fans booing to be heard so I think we’re talking about
a very small number, but my opinion is that it’s disgraceful to boo Dion Phaneuf for everything he has done for this franchise, on and off the ice, in a very short period of time.”
Phaneuf arrived in Toronto on 31 January after having been traded from the Calgary Flames, the team that originally drafted him in 2003. During the summer, the Leafs named the 6ft 3in
defender their new captain after going several seasons without one.
So far, Phaneuf has registered only four assists in 11 games this season. Despite that, Burke likes what he sees in his captain.
“On the ice, we’re extremely happy with his play. Sure, he could have some more points, but we are not scoring as a team right now and Dion’s point totals reflect that... So, yeah, when
I hear some of our fans boo him, it bothers me. I think it’s disgraceful.”
The Leafs are scheduled to return to action on Saturday, 6 November against the Buffalo Sabres.
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