Brian Burke (ice hockey)

Brian Burke
Born	(1955-06-30) June 30, 1955 Providence, RI

Brian P. Burke (born June 30, 1955) is an American- Canadian ice hockey executive, who is currently the President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was the General Manager for the United States national men's ice hockey team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Early life and playing career

Born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in Edina, Minnesota, Burke graduated from Providence College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. While attending Providence, he played for the Friars Division-I ice hockey team, where, during his senior year, he served as captain. The team was coached by Lou Lamoriello. He was a teammate with Ron Wilson at Providence.

In 1977, Burke played seven games with the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League (AHL). Burke then proceeded to play one full year in the AHL with the Maine Mariners, who won the AHL Calder Cup Championship that year. After one year in the AHL, Burke attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1981.

Executive career

Early career and GM of Hartford Whalers

After graduating, Burke became an NHL player agent. In 1987, he was hired by Pat Quinn to be the Director of Hockey Operations for the Vancouver Canucks. In the 1992–93 season, he left that job to become General Manager of the Hartford Whalers. He was fired after one year in Hartford, after which he was hired by the NHL to be vice-president in charge of discipline under league commissioner Gary Bettman.

Vancouver Canucks

In 1998, he became General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks. With the Canucks, he was credited with reviving the ailing franchise and increasing attendance, with the drafting and signing of several key players such as Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler, as the team won a playoff series and captured a division title. Following the 2003–04 NHL season, Canucks ownership chose not to renew Burke's contract for the GM position. Burke then briefly worked as an analyst for NHL games on both the CBC and TSN.

GM of the Anaheim Ducks

Burke won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks as the GM in the 2006–07 NHL season. It was his second year as an executive with the club.

Burke stepped down as GM of the Anaheim Ducks on November 12, 2008. The Ducks management submitted papers to the NHL, releasing him from contractual commitment.

President and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs

On November 29, 2008, Burke was introduced as the President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, replacing interim General Manager Cliff Fletcher. He became the 13th non-interim General Manager of the club and the first to be American-born. He reportedly agreed to a six-year deal worth $3 million annually. Soon thereafter, on December 4, 2008, Burke offered Dave Nonis the position of Senior Vice-President and Director of Hockey Operations for the Maple Leafs; Nonis accepted, marking the third time he has held this post under Burke; he had done so previously in Anaheim and Vancouver.

Personal life

A dual citizen of the United States and Canada, Burke is married to Jennifer Mather Burke, an anchor at CTV News Channel. They have two daughters together. Burke also has four children from a previous marriage, including Patrick, a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers. Burke is a strong supporter of gay rights and attended the 2009 Toronto Gay Pride Parade with his son Brendan Burke, who was gay. On February 5, 2010, Brendan died, aged 21, from injuries suffered in a car accident in Indiana. Brian Burke also participated in the 2010 and 2011 Toronto Gay Pride Parades.

External links

• Brian Burke career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database

Template:Incumbent succession box