Alex Burrows recalls good memories of time with embattled coach Marc Crawford

VANCOUVER—On a big day for Alex Burrows, the former Vancouver Canucks forward recalled good memories of his time with embattled Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Marc Crawford.

Burrows, who is being placed in the Canucks’ Ring of Honour Tuesday night prior to a home game against the Senators, said Crawford was “really good” to him during his time with Vancouver and Ottawa.

Crawford, a former coach in Vancouver and Ottawa, is away from the Blackhawks after the club announced last night it is reviewing his conduct from a time with another organization.

The Blackhawks didn’t provide any details about what they are examining, but former NHL forward Sean Avery recently told the New York Post that Crawford kicked him after he was whistled for a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty when he played for Crawford with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2006-07 season.

Speaking on a Barstool Sports podcast a year ago, former NHL defenceman Brent Sopel said Crawford “kicked me, he choked me, he grabbed the back of my jersey and just pulling it back.” Sopel played for Crawford in Vancouver.

“I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, my personal experience with Crow, is really good,” Burrows said of the native of Belleville, Ont. “He really helped me to understand what it took to play in the NHL. He gave me my first chance with the Canucks, he’s always been really good.

“He pushed me, he made sure I needed to play a certain way so I could achieve my goals and stay and play as long I did in the NHL. In Ottawa, when I saw him again, he was a great Crow again. He taught me so much. He’s always been so good to me. At the same time, I can’t speak for anybody else.”