The Vancouver Canucks sure could use more fan favourites like Alex Burrows in the lineup these days.

Alas, it’s been nine years since Burrows was dealt by the Canucks at the deadline to the Ottawa Senators, ending his illustrious career in Vancouver.

Although he retired as a professional hockey player back in 2018, Burrows just recently got a big honour from one of his former clubs.

The Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL retired Burrows’ old No. 41 on Friday night for his two years of contributions with the club.

Nobody will wear the number 4️⃣1️⃣ again in Shawinigan!

Alex Burrows’ Jersey has been retired tonight by @Cataractes_Shaw ! ⚡⚡⚡#Canucks | #GoSensGo | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/3XhSsfGJtI

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) March 7, 2026

“It’s a great honour, obviously one that I never expected,” Burrows said prior to the ceremony.

“It’s all the hard work that’s paid off, but I think it’s the support cast around me, my family and friends, that always believe in me and supported me.”

”I never expected that!”

Maybe, but Alex Burrows couldn’t be more proud of himself to see his number 41 retired by @Cataractes_Shaw ! ⚡️#Canucks | #GoSensGo | #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/uibMt6JS5N

— QMJHL (@QMJHL) March 6, 2026

Burrows played for the Cataractes between 2000 and 2002, alongside other NHLers such as Jason Pominville, Zbynek Michalek, and even former Canucks winger Radim Vrbata.

He joined the organization as a late-blooming 18-year-old. During his NHL draft-eligible season, Burrows was still playing Triple AAA hockey in Quebec.

Burrows was a depth player in his first QMJHL season. During his second and final year in Shawinigan, he finished third in team scoring and led the team in points during the playoffs.

“The playoffs run that we went on, the city really rallied behind us, those are the memories I’m going to keep,” Burrows said.

It was enough to catapult his career in the ECHL, where his tenacious story of grinding his way to the NHL is etched in Canucks lore.

Although he’s been retired for eight years, Burrows is still involved in hockey. He coached for six seasons between the AHL’s Laval Rocket and the Montreal Canadiens before stepping back into a player development role in 2024, so that he could spend more time with his family.