One of hockey’s most boisterous and iconic personalities is headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.

On Monday afternoon, the incomparable Brian Burke was named to the 2026 Hall of Fame induction class as a builder. He’s joined by players Patrice Bergeron, Cindy Curley, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne and Keith Tkachuk.

Burke has had a heck of a career in hockey.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in Edina, Minnesota, Burke played four seasons at Providence College and spent a year in the AHL before opting to head to law school. After a stint as a player agent, he joined the Vancouver Canucks in 1987 as director of hockey operations. He spent the 1992-93 season as general manager of the Hartford Whalers, but left after that season to join the National Hockey League’s front office as executive vice-president and director of hockey operations, nominally operating as the league’s sheriff as head of player safety.

Burke re-joined the Canucks in 1999 and spent five seasons as their general manager, departing in 2004. In 2006, he joined the Anaheim Ducks as their general manager (and executive vice-president of hockey operations), where he won a Stanley Cup. He departed the Ducks in November 2008 and became the Toronto Maple Leafs’ president and general manager the same month. He served in those positions until January 2013.

Burke joined the Calgary Flames in September 2013, recruited by Ken King to serve as the club’s president of hockey operations. He dismissed incumbent GM Jay Feaster and assistant GM John Weisbrod in December 2013 and served as acting general manager until the hiring of Brad Treliving in April 2014. Burke remained in his presidential role until departing in April 2018. Burke spent two years as president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins from February 2021 to April 2023, as well.

Most recently, Burke served as the inaugural executive director of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association, helping establish the group as the labour union for the first unified league for North American professional hockey and guiding them through their first season. He transitioned out of that role in January 2025. He’s also served in several advisory and management roles for USA Hockey over the years.

Over a career in hockey leadership that’s spanned parts of five decades, Burke has served in virtually every position possible – aside from coaching – and he’s been a vocal proponent for making the game more competitive and inclusive. He’s a very deserving inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He’s the second Flames GM to be enshrined in the Hall, following the late, great Cliff Fletcher.

The 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame class will be inducted in November.

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