Former NHL exec BRIAN BURKE's new book -- “Burke’s Law: A Life In Hockey,” co-authored by STEPHEN BRUNT -- explains how he got from a "kid who took up hockey in Minnesota a bit later than most" to a Stanley Cup-winning GM, "graduating from Harvard Law School in between," according to a Q&A with Kevin McGran of the TORONTO STAR. Below are excerpts from the Q&A:
Q: You’re a “Hockey Night” regular now, working for Sportsnet. Are you completely finished with team management?
Burke: Yes. I have been approached. I’ve gotten two solid job offers since I took this job. I like my lifestyle. I sleep in that bed upstairs every night. That’s the thing I don’t miss. The five years I can’t figure out how I survived was working for the league, all the travel.
Q: Sounds like you might harbour some bitterness toward the Leafs.
Burke: I’m not bitter about the Leafs. I’m a season-ticket holder.
Q: You make the point in the book that the hardest part about working for the league is you can’t cheer for a team.
Burke: It’s torture, if you’re a competitive guy. I’m at games and praying two things happen: My referees don’t mess up, and I don’t have to suspend anyone.
Q: Now as a media guy, do you root for anyone?
Burke: I have a soft spot for my old teams. Mostly players, guys I drafted, or guys I traded for.
Q: What about the game itself [has changed since you started]?
Burke: The concussion awareness, that part’s great. We just didn’t know. We didn’t have any science. What (commissioner) Gary Bettman has done is tremendous. As he’s grown the revenue, he’s invested back in the game. ... The scope of the league. It’s become a huge factor, a huge platform. Social justice, Hurricane Katrina. The league has turned into a great public service. ... The game is way better than when I started back in 1987. Light years ahead.
Q: You say Gary Bettman is one of the most misunderstood individuals by Canadians.
Burke: He’s brilliant, and he’s been a great friend of hockey in Canada. I remember in Vancouver, we were losing money and he put in the Canadian assistance plan. He made the American teams subsidize us. We got a cheque for $3 million that year. It might have kept a team or two in Canada. I know when Winnipeg wanted to move, Gary fought it for two years. Said we have to try to make it work and keep the team in Winnipeg. Now with revenue sharing and TV contracts, there’s a team back in Winnipeg. Fans just won’t cut him any slack. His image has to have been polished by the last three months.
Q: Yes, it was pretty remarkable what they pulled off. When do you think it’s coming back?
Burke: I think January is realistic with no fans. March or April with socially distanced fans. I think it will be safe with masks and social distancing.
Q: Any regrets?
Burke: Yes. Two failed marriages, so obviously I never prioritized that right. Proud of my record as a dad, but not proud of my record as a husband. Worked too hard. Never got the balance right. Didn’t manage up properly. Five jobs. Got an NHL record: Only guy who’s been a GM of five teams. Not a record anyone wants. But I did a lot of good things. I was honest with my players, made them active in the community, made a difference in every city I worked in. Except Anaheim. I had no platform there. No one knew who I was. I want people to say this guy was a good guy (TORONTO STAR, 10/18).
