By:Kevin M.Neibauer
Garrett Burnett, former NHL player with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, former long-time minor leaguer who played in six different leagues on thirteen different teams.
Burnett, always known as a fighter, fought Scott Parker 11 times in his career, including three times in one game.
Burnett realized his dream when he finally made it to the National Hockey League and played one season as the Ducks enforcer, the tough guy actually got to feel the thrill of scoring an NHL goal.
Ice time dwindled and Burnett switched sports, he went back to Western Canada and signed up to play professional lacrosse.
The Vancouver native may go down in history as the most popular player in minor league history. With a heart and personality far bigger than his talent, Burnett won fans over with his movie star good looks and rugged “never say die” attitude that everyone loves.
Always the last to leave the autograph sessions and always making time for a child, Burnett came across as everyone’s brother, son or more importantly, their friend.
When he wasn’t playing hockey, he could be found on the Lacrosse rink. Burnett played on the legendary Burnaby Lakers team that featured two future hall of fame goaltenders, Pat O’Toole and Dallas Eliuk.
Burnett was a third string goaltender who also played the field, normally a defender, Burnett gained a reputation with Eliuk.
“He was always in the middle of things, big hitter, he could play a little bit…” said the now retired netminder.
All of that ended on Boxing Day in 2006, the 6’-3” 235 pound tough guy entered a bar in Vancouver with a friend for a night on the town.
The establishment apparently was host to a collection of thugs and unsavory types. At least two men started an argument with the Burnett party and things came to a head. The exchange began to get physical, and while the bouncers idly sat by, Burnett was hit with a barstool and rendered unconscious.
The injuries were life threatening and left Burnett in a coma. If not for the fact that an off-duty EMT was on the scene, Burnett may have died.
“They (doctors) said that it probably because of my being in such good physical shape, it probably saved my life.” Burnett commented.
Of course, his playing days are over. He now is an outpatient who is working on his physical and mental impairments.
Burnett is still unable to drive, has nerve damage in his face, “pins and needles” in his face, orbital damage and still some swelling in the brain that causes memory loss.
Does he complain? No. In fact he spends his time working in the Vancouver community and “trying to give something back to the communities in the cities that I played.”
“The fans have been great, I get letters from everywhere, I can’t wait to get into Philly and see my old friends….see how big some of the kids have grown, see the faces of these people.”
His main passion these days is a charity for children with LUPUS and arthritis. Celebsforkids.ca is an organization that celebrities and athletes such as Burnett use to gather memorabilia for auctions,
Burnie also keeps himself busy with the Seniors in Vancouver, visiting and playing BINGO and trying to make a difference.
Burnett freely admits that his parents, Bob and Vicci and his sister were by his bedside, “Non stop from the day of the accident.” His parents are currently on a cruise and Burnett expects to have Christmas with his family.
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