Brian P. Burke (born June 30, 1955 in Providence, Rhode Island) is an executive in the National Hockey League and currently the general manager and executive vice president of the Anaheim Ducks.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in Medina, Minnesota [1], Burke graduated from Providence College in 1977 with a BA 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. Burke then proceeded to play one 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, where he graduated with an LL.B and an MBA in 1981.
Burke has served as the general manager of the Hartford Whalers and Vancouver Canucks. With the Canucks, he was credited with reviving the ailing franchise and increasing attendance, with the signing of several key players such as the Sedin twins, as the team won a playoff series and captured a division title. After he left the Canucks in 2004, Burke worked briefly as an analyst for NHL games on both the CBC and TSN. During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, he proposed a 15-point plan derived from his experience as an agent and general manager.
He is known in Vancouver for wearing his heart on his sleeve, and occasionally feuding with certain members of the media, such as sports talk host David Pratt. [2]
A dual citizen of the United States and Canada [1] [2] , Burke is married to Jennifer Mather, a former TV and radio journalist in Vancouver. They have 2 young daughters, Mairin and Fiona Grace. Burke has four children from a previous marriage—Katie, Patrick, Brendan, and Molly.
Burke won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks as the GM in the 2007 season. It was his second year with the Ducks.
References
- ^ A fond adieu to Jennifer Mather and Brian Burke By John Twigg. Accessed on May 1, 2007
- ^ Swinging for Canada By Robert Tychkowski, Edmonton Sun. Accessed on May 1, 2007.
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