Spits Burns steps up in post-season

by Evan Mathias

Despite being swept by the London Knights in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League playoffs the Windsor Spitfires have positives to build on in years to come.

Spitfires’ rookie defenceman Andrew Burns was called up from their affiliate junior B team, the LaSalle Vipers, at points throughout the season and for the duration of the playoffs. In the four games against the Knights the 17-year-old Oakville native recorded three assists, the most points by all Spits defencemen.

Burns was able to play at the junior B level most of the season, making the jump to the OHL easier than a player straight out of minor-midget.

“It’s definitely a better transition because instead of going from a low level straight into the OHL, you get to have that step in between and get used to playing at that speed,” said Burns. “Once you’re ready to move up, you move up and have some confidence with the puck.”

Spitfires head coach Bob Boughner said he liked the play of the rookie defenceman and would like to see him quarterbacking Windsor’s power play in the future.

“You can see his vision, you can see his hockey sense. He moves pucks well. He’s got to get bigger and stronger, like all the young guys,” said Boughner. “Im excited for what kind of junior (hockey) player he’s going to be and I think he’ll run our power play one day.”

Boughner added that the power play is where they struggled against the Knights without their two power play quarterbacks Slater Koekkoek and Trevor Murphy.

“He (Burns) has gained a ton of experience in these last four games so he’s going to be a good one,” said Boughner.

Burns posted an impressive seven goals and 28 assists for 35 points over the course of 46 games with the Vipers this season.

Burns said he hopes to help the team compete in the years to come.

“It’s a good start for what we did in the playoffs, I got some pretty good ice time and obviously we didn’t get the results we wanted but that’s something we going to try to improve in the future,” said Burns. “Hopefully in the years to come I can help our team get better in the playoffs, make it further and get a longer run.”