The Playbook for Leadership Success

Hockey legend Brian Burke is a dynamic figure in both the worlds of business and sport. He has
held leadership positions in several NHL organizations including the Pittsburgh Penguins,
Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks, as well as the
United States Olympic national hockey team. Having led teams to both a Stanley Cup and
Olympic silver medal, Burke is a sought-after speaker on leadership, business management and
growth, and, of course, his prolific career in professional sports.
Burke’s hockey career began in 1987 with the Vancouver Canucks as their NHL player agent and
director of hockey operations. He was credited with reviving the franchise as the team won a
playoff series and captured a division title during his tenure. From 2005-2007, Burke was the
general manager for the Anaheim Ducks, who, under his leadership won the 2007 Stanley Cup
championship. Following this, Burke became the president and general manager of the Toronto
Maple Leafs before later serving as the president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames
and Pittsburgh Penguins.
In 2010, Burke joined the United States Olympic national team as general manager for the
Vancouver Games. He returned for the 2014 Games in Sochi as the director of player
development. In recognition of his prolific career, Burke was inducted into the US Hockey Hall
of Fame in 2023. Today, Burke is the inaugural Executive Director of the newly formed
Professional Women’s Hockey League Association.
Away from the rink, Burke is well known for his work within the community. He is a vocal
activist against homophobia in sports, a strong supporter of first response personnel and
military service members, an environmentalist, and a humanitarian. Since his son Patrick
founded the “You Can Play” project in support of his brother Brendan, Burke has been very
vocal about the importance of LGBTQ2+ inclusion in the NHL. He was honoured with a Spirit of
Courage Award in 2012 from the Courage Campaign Institute for his work.
Burke is also an avid supporter of many philanthropic organizations, including Ducks Unlimited
Canada, The Canadian Safe School Network (CSSN), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, Special
Olympics Cops, and Computers Merry-Go-Round Children’s Foundation. In May 2011, he was
presented with the Easter Seals Toronto’s Tribute award for lending support to kids with
physical disabilities and for excellence in business and community service.