Burke squelches Toronto rumors, will stay with Ducks through 2008-09

By Karen Francis
Hockeytalk.biz

April 24, 2008 -- ANAHEIM, CA -- The Anaheim Ducks announced Wednesday that Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke will remain with the team through at least the 2008-09 season, which is the last under his current four-year contract.

“I work for the best owners in sports,” said Burke. “After meeting with Mike (Chief Executive Officer Michael Schulman) this morning, we’ve decided to end all unnecessary media speculation and commit to working together for at least one more year while continuing to discuss my long-term future with the Ducks.”

Media speculation had been rampant in Canada after the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vancouver Canucks had openings for General Manager. The position in Vancouver, Burke’s former employer, has been filled by player agent Mike Gillis. The position with the Maple Leafs is still open. Burke had been considered a top candidate for the vaunted Original 6 franchise. Part of that speculation included family issues for Burke. Children from a previous marriage live on the East Coast (Boston) and a job in Toronto would allow him to be closer to them. Burke’s wife, Jennifer, has a broadcast career in Canada. Less travel by an East Coast team would also mean more time at home.

On Tuesday when asked if he believed he would be in Anaheim at the start of training camp in September, Burke replied, “I don’t know. I don’t know.” That set off a local firestorm of speculation that Burke deemed could “adversely affect the hockey club, as far as the decision-making that had to take place, as far as guys coming back and so on.”

After Wednesday’s scheduled meeting with Schulman, there was no uncertainty. “Absolutely, I’ll be back next year,” Burke stated. “I signed a four-year deal and in my mind, a contract’s a contract.”

Ducks owner, Henry Samueli, had nothing but praise for his general manager. “Brian Burke is the best general manager in the NHL. Our goal is to sign him to a long-term agreement beyond next season.”

Burke conceded that the relationship he has with the Samuelis and Schulman contributed to his commitment to the Ducks.

“They’ve treated me and my wife like family members and they’re great people,” said Burke. “Michael Schulman is the best boss I’ve ever had, and I’ve had some good bosses. If it wasn’t that strong of a relationship, maybe we don’t come out in the same place.”

Canada, in the meantime, seems to think this is a personal snub by Burke. Articles by the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Sun have already put their personal prejudicial spin on things. Both state that the Samuelis and Schulman told Burke they would not grant any other clubs permission to talk to Burke about other jobs. Burke commented, “I can’t control what people in the media do.”

So next up is getting Burke signed to a contract extension. Both Burke and Schulman acknowledge that having a timeframe to do so is a good idea. “I don’t know what the appropriate timeframe is, whether to make a deal before Labor Day or July 1,” said Burke. “At some point, the team should know whether I’m going to sign or not and they should go about whatever succession plan they’re going to do.”

Extensive talks have already occurred between Burke and Schulman and will continue.

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2008 Western Hockey Network 

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