Tough news for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their general manager Brian Burke who's youngest son was killed in a car accident in snowy Indiana on Friday.
The team issued a brief statement confirming the death of 21-year-old Brendan Burke. Brian Burke also is the general manager of the U.S. Olympic team.
"The National Hockey League grieves tonight for the family and friends of Brendan Burke, a young man of courage and character," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a release. "Words simply cannot express our sorrow over his loss. We send our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Brendan's father, Brian; his mother, Kerry; everyone in Brendan's family and all who were inspired by his love for hockey."
Police in the Hoosier state told the Toronto Star that Burke was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee when the vehicle slid sideways into the path of a Ford truck. Burke's friend, 18-year-old Mark Reedy, also died in the accident.
U.S. Olympic Committee chairman Larry Probst said the USOC was "...extremely saddened..." by Burke's death.
"Our heart goes out to Brian and his family in this very difficult time," Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, said. "We know the prayers of the entire hockey family, including our Olympic team, are with the Burke family."
Last November the late Mr. Burke was the story du jour in the world of sports when he came out. He managed to bring issues of homophobia in the locker room to the forefront, and to take gay rights a giant step in the right direction. He was, as best I can recall, the only hockey professional who had come out of the closet during his career. The 21 year old was a student manager with the Miami University (Ohio) hockey team, an NCAA Division I team.
He was an amazing individual, and though his life was sadly cut short, his legacy will live on.
Prayers all around.
WFDS
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