Scott Gomez on Burns' HOF election: 'I had the honor of being his whipping boy'

The late Pat Burns was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday afternoon and will be inducted in November. Burns passed away in 2010 after a long battle with cancer.

Burns coached for 14 seasons in the NHL including the 2002-03 New Jersey Devils who won the Stanley Cup.

One player on that championship team was Scott Gomez. He played some of his best hockey under Burns and with the Devils organization. When asked about Burns being elected, Gomez spoke honestly.

I think it's long overdue. I wish he had been around for this. I always compare him to Bill Parcells. He was a guy who could get the best out of a player. I had the honor of being his whipping boy for a couple of years.

It wasn't all fun for Gomez as he recalls the push he felt from Burns day after day while sitting on his bench.

There is nothing like getting chewed out by Pat Burns day in and day out. He was scary. He'd find a weakness in you. With my personality, we were often at odds, but my best years were playing for Pat Burns.

Thousands of hockey fans tried to get Burns elected into the Hall of Fame before his death, but the committee did not budge. Burns will be rightfully inducted into the Hall of Fame come November and for Gomez, that was the right choice all along.

"He was one of the greatest coaches ever. He knew how to push buttons. He pushed mine and I'm proud to say I pushed his."