Brian Burke is back in Canada, having landed a senior post with another NHL franchise.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager was announced as president of hockey operations of the Calgary Flames’ Thursday by Flames president and CEO Ken King at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
“The focus is simple: win,” King said. “I couldn’t be more pleased Brian is joining us.”
Calgary has been looking to fill a leadership role in its hockey operations department since the end of last season and had discussions with NHL executive Brendan Shanahan in June. He elected to keep his position at the league office.
“I’m not the general manager of the Calgary Flames. Jay Feaster is,” Burke said. “It’s my pleasure an honour being able to work with him.”
Burke said he plans on taking a background role with the team and that he will not be the Flames’ spokesman. He is, however, prepared to get involved with the Calgary community.
“Ownership is prepared to spend to the cap,” Burke said. “That’s not the issue. We want to spend that money wisely.”
Burke said that when King first approached him about the job, he politely declined, but did some research and got his head around a unique position that required less “grunt work.”
“I like working in Canada. I’m a Canadian citizen,” Burke said. “I know people think I like to be driving the bus all the time. I’m actually a pretty good teammate too.”
Burke had been working as a scout with the Anaheim Ducks since being fired by the Leafs shortly after the end of the lockout.
He compiled a 129-135-42 record during his tenure in Toronto that included no playoff appearances.
Burke has previously served as the general manager of the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks — whom he guided to the 2007 Stanley Cup — and has maintained that he was eager to return to the front office of another organization.
The Flames are in the middle of a rebuild under GM Feaster, who will now report into Burke.
Burke will report into King, whose role as president remains unchanged.
The Flames also promoted John Bean from senior vice-president, finance and administration to chief operating officer.
Calgary last qualified for the postseason in 2009.
That same year, Feaster wrote a blog for The Hockey News in which he praised Burke, then with the Leafs.
“Burke is one of the best managers in the game,” Feaster wrote. “Like him or not, Burkie makes sure his franchise is big and bold, not just on the ice, but off as well.”
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Tweets from the Calgary announcement:
(with files from Chris Johnston)
