Mike Brophy

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy writes Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday on Sportsnet.ca and appears regularly on Hockeycentral.

Adam Burish played a minor role in the Blackhawks championship run against Chris Pronger and the Flyers.

Adam Burish sure picked a funny time to start a rivalry with one of the best defenceman in the NHL.

Adam Burish sure picked a funny time to start a rivalry with one of the best defenceman in the NHL.

While his teammates were celebrating their thrilling Stanley Cup victory on the ice at the Wachovia Center Thursday, the fringe NHLer was more worried about dissing Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger. Asked by a reporter what he thought of Pronger, whom many believe could have won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs even though his team lost, Burish called Pronger and idiot and added if he saw him on the ice he might punch him.

"He had his chance during the series, didn't he" Pronger said. "Why is he worrying about me instead of celebrating winning the Cup? Boy, it just goes to show how much I was in his kitchen for him to be talking about me five minutes after he wins the Cup."

Burish, 27, played a minor role in helping the Blackhawks win the Cup. In the 15 games he dressed - he was a healthy scratch in seven - he managed one assist playing an average 5:34 per game and was minus-1. Pronger, meanwhile, was his team's best player and led all defencemen in playoff scoring with four goals and 18 points in 23 games. Despite the fact he was minus-5 in Game 4 of the final, Pronger finished plus-5 in the playoffs.

Still, he was a very controversial figure, because he picked up the game pucks in Games 1 and 2 of the final in Chicago.

"Who cares if I take the game puck?" Pronger said. "The media blew that way out of proportion."

Pronger won over many members of the media during the final with his sarcasm and humour during Q&A sessions. As for Burish, well let's just say there won't be too many people who look back at the Blackhawks championship season and think they wouldn't have done it without him.

When told about Burish's comments, Pronger said: "I could care less what somebody on another team says about me. I don't play this game to make friends. I play to win."

ROOKIE WATCH

As the Detroit Red Wings ponder what they will do to get back to the top of the mountain, you have to wonder if they regret allowing Ville Leino walk over salary cap considerations. Leino was seventh in playoff scoring and led all rookies with 21 points in 19 games. One of the problems the Red Wings faced this season was skill on its third and fourth lines. Leino certainly would help that, although given his performance in this year's playoffs, he is probably closer to being a second-liner.

The Montreal Canadiens must be thrilled at the prospect of having defenceman P.K. Subban for 82 games next year. Subban was summoned from Hamilton of the American League because of injuries and wound up second in rookie scoring in the playoffs with eight points in 14 games. He is a take-charge kid who should help bolster the Habs power play next season.

The Ottawa Senators are another team whose rookies played well in the post-season. Although the Senators were bounced in the first round, 19-year-old defenceman Erik Karlsson came of age scoring a goal and six points in six games while centre Peter Regin had three goals and four points in six games.

PLAYOFF WARRIORS

We all know hockey players are the toughest athletes in the world, but two stood out from the rest this spring: Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers and Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks. Laperriere blocked a shot with his face and suffered a bruised brain, but got himself back into the lineup and played with his usual spirit and reckless abandon. Keith also was hit in the face with a puck and lost seven teeth, but after a little attention, returned to the game and there are those who believe he should have been named Conn Smythe Trophy winner ahead of teammate Jonathan Toews.