"It's no secret that Vancouver Canucks winger Alex Burrows is a big hit with the ladies. If it's not his good looks, it's his suave French accent that has the fairer sex lining up after games to meet him.

But his first language also comes with a price. Burrows' mastery of the Queen's English can be a source of great entertainment for teammates, opponents and media alike. Needless to say, there was a quite a buzz around the rink on Tuesday morning, just hours before Burrows was to make his debut as a colour commentator for TEAM 1040's broadcast of the Canucks' 3-1 loss to Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena.

"I don't think the swearing will be a problem — it's more the people understanding me, I think," said the affable Burrows, who is rehabbing from off-season shoulder surgery. "With the French accent sometimes I forget my words and things come out not as I wish it would."

You don't say. Admittedly, tenses and mixed metaphors are what cause the native of Pincourt, Que., the greatest grief. And to think, the 29-year-old once even contemplated being a sportscaster — just in case the hockey career didn't pan out.

"Who knew? I could be where you are," he said, with a laugh. "Obviously, my dream was to play, but if not than it is something I would have liked to pursue. But that was before I knew it was that much work."

Burrows filled in admirably alongside Team 1040's play-by-play voice Rick Ball on Tuesday. Regular colour man Dave Tomlinson was in Calgary for the Canucks' 3-2 loss at the Pengrowth Saddledome.

"I think it went well," said Burrows, after the game. "Rick made it easy for me. Of course, I would have preferred to see a different result, but I kept it simple and didn't chirp guys too much. I had to pinch myself a couple of times though."

He joins John Shorthouse for a pair of Sportsnet Vancouver games today against the Edmonton Oilers and Sept. 28 when the San Jose Sharks come to town."