Former Hartford Whalers General Manager Brian Burke has stepped down from the same position with Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Burke, who earlier this week declined a contract extension offer, sighted family obligations for not wanting the extension. He felt it was best for the team that he step aside as they had someone in the organization to replace him.
Taking over as Ducks GM is Bob Murray, who was Burke’s right hand man in Anaheim and prior to that worked with him in Vancouver.
Burke came to Anaheim in 2005 and built the 2007 Stanley Cup championship team. Prior to that he was the GM in Vancouver for six seasons. Previous to that the Providence RI native was in the NHL office as the vice president in charge on discipline and was the GM for the Hartford Whalers for one season before joining the league. He got his front office start in Vancouver as the Canucks Director of Hockey Operations in 1987. he is also a former player agent.
Burke who is the general manager for the 2010 US Olympic Hockey Team is reported to be one of the candidates to fill the vacant Toronto Maple Leafs general managers slot.
