Sean Burke
Encyclopedia
Sean Burke is a Canadian former professional ice hockey
goaltender
who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League
(NHL) for the New Jersey Devils
, Hartford Whalers
, Carolina Hurricanes
, Vancouver Canucks
, Philadelphia Flyers
, Florida Panthers
, Phoenix Coyotes
, Tampa Bay Lightning
and Los Angeles Kings
.
in the second round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft
. He earned national attention from his international play. He backstopped Canada's junior team
to a silver medal in the 1986 World Junior Championships and a fourth-place finish for the national men's team at the 1988 Calgary Olympics
.
Burke went from the Olympics to the Devils. He started 11 games for the Devils in the 1987–88 NHL season, including an overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks
on the final night of the season that qualified the Devils for their first playoff series.
Dubbed a "rookie sensation", Burke helped the Devils go on a playoff roll, defeating the division-leader New York Islanders
in the first round in six games and then the Washington Capitals
in seven games. Burke was one game away from the Stanley Cup Finals but lost in Game 7 of the Wales Conference finals to the Boston Bruins
.
Burke's play was widely-heralded. The Hockey Digest declared, "Burke is now the franchise for the Devils, and to whatever heights he rises, the Devils will rise with him" and in December 1988 made Burke the first Devil to appear on its cover.
Because he played just 11 games in the 1987–88 regular season, he maintained his rookie status for the next season. The next season, Burke was elected into the NHL All-Star Game, becoming the first rookie goaltender to play in the All-Star game.
Burke played for the Devils through the 1990–91 NHL season, and then sat out the 1991–92 season in a contract dispute. Instead, he played for the Canadian national team and played in the Olympics
for a second time. This time, he backstopped Canada to a silver medal.
On August 28, 1992, Burke was traded to the Hartford Whalers
for Bobby Holik
, a second-round pick in 1993 draft (Jay Pandolfo
) and future considerations. He played there (and with the relocated Whalers team, the Carolina Hurricanes
) for six seasons. Was voted Whalers' team MVP from '93–'97. In February 1998, Burke pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, and was ordered to complete a domestic violence
program and pay a $200 fine.http://www.endabuse.org/celebritywatch/index.php?Fame=N Burke then played with several teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers
, Vancouver Canucks
, and Florida Panthers
. He then signed with the Phoenix Coyotes
, and played there for five seasons, where he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy
and 3rd finalist for the Hart Trophy in the 2001–02 NHL season.
After that, Burke played for the Philadelphia Flyers
(for the second time) recording his 300th career win (the twentieth goalie to reach this milestone), and the Tampa Bay Lightning
. Burke was placed on waivers by Tampa Bay before the 2006–07 NHL season, but was not picked up. He then played for the Lightning's American Hockey League
affiliate Springfield Falcons
. However, he struggled with the Falcons and lost his starting job to Karri Ramo
. He was then placed on waivers by the Lightning and picked up off re-entry waivers by the Los Angeles Kings
.
Burke, a 3-time NHL All-Star (1989, 2001, 2002), officially announced his retirement on September 18, 2007. On March 4, 2008, the Phoenix Coyotes hired Burke as the Director of Prospect Development. He is now the Coyotes' goaltending coach.
, and has also played in 130 games for other Canadian National teams from 1985 through 2003.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) for the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
, Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
, Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
, Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
, Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
and Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Playing career
Burke was drafted by the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the second round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft
1985 NHL Entry Draft
The 1985 NHL Entry Draft was the first draft outside of Montreal. The event was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, and attended by 7,000 fans. The National Hockey League teams selected 252 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the...
. He earned national attention from his international play. He backstopped Canada's junior team
Canada national junior hockey team
The Canadian men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Canada. The team represents Canada at the International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Hockey Championship, held annually every December and January...
to a silver medal in the 1986 World Junior Championships and a fourth-place finish for the national men's team at the 1988 Calgary Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1988 Winter Olympics
At the 1988 Winter Olympics one ice hockey event was held, men's ice hockey. Games were played at the Olympic Saddledome, the Stampede Corral, and Father David Bauer Olympic Arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.Source:* Gold - * Silver -...
.
Burke went from the Olympics to the Devils. He started 11 games for the Devils in the 1987–88 NHL season, including an overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
on the final night of the season that qualified the Devils for their first playoff series.
Dubbed a "rookie sensation", Burke helped the Devils go on a playoff roll, defeating the division-leader New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the first round in six games and then the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
in seven games. Burke was one game away from the Stanley Cup Finals but lost in Game 7 of the Wales Conference finals to the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
.
Burke's play was widely-heralded. The Hockey Digest declared, "Burke is now the franchise for the Devils, and to whatever heights he rises, the Devils will rise with him" and in December 1988 made Burke the first Devil to appear on its cover.
Because he played just 11 games in the 1987–88 regular season, he maintained his rookie status for the next season. The next season, Burke was elected into the NHL All-Star Game, becoming the first rookie goaltender to play in the All-Star game.
Burke played for the Devils through the 1990–91 NHL season, and then sat out the 1991–92 season in a contract dispute. Instead, he played for the Canadian national team and played in the Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics
Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics was held at the Méribel Ice Palace in Méribel, a ski resort about 45 km from host city Albertville. The competition, held from 8 to 23 February, was won by the Unified Team.-Final rankings:# # # # # # #...
for a second time. This time, he backstopped Canada to a silver medal.
On August 28, 1992, Burke was traded to the Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
for Bobby Holik
Bobby Holik
Robert Holík is a retired Czech-American professional ice hockey center who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League...
, a second-round pick in 1993 draft (Jay Pandolfo
Jay Pandolfo
Jay Paul Pandolfo is an American professional ice hockey forward currently a member of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League.He spent most of his career with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
) and future considerations. He played there (and with the relocated Whalers team, the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
) for six seasons. Was voted Whalers' team MVP from '93–'97. In February 1998, Burke pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, and was ordered to complete a domestic violence
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
program and pay a $200 fine.http://www.endabuse.org/celebritywatch/index.php?Fame=N Burke then played with several teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, and Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
. He then signed with the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
, and played there for five seasons, where he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy
Vezina Trophy
The Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
and 3rd finalist for the Hart Trophy in the 2001–02 NHL season.
After that, Burke played for the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
(for the second time) recording his 300th career win (the twentieth goalie to reach this milestone), and the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
. Burke was placed on waivers by Tampa Bay before the 2006–07 NHL season, but was not picked up. He then played for the Lightning's American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
. However, he struggled with the Falcons and lost his starting job to Karri Ramo
Karri Rämö
Karri Rämö is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League. His contract rights are owned by the Montreal Canadiens and he has also played for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:Rämö was drafted by the...
. He was then placed on waivers by the Lightning and picked up off re-entry waivers by the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Burke, a 3-time NHL All-Star (1989, 2001, 2002), officially announced his retirement on September 18, 2007. On March 4, 2008, the Phoenix Coyotes hired Burke as the Director of Prospect Development. He is now the Coyotes' goaltending coach.
Regular season
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T | OTL | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
SV% Save percentage Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
13 | 10 | 1 | 0 | — | 688 | 35 | 1 | 3.05 | .883 |
| 1988–89 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 62 | 22 | 31 | 9 | — | 3,590 | 230 | 3 | 3.84 | .873 |
| 1989–90 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 52 | 22 | 22 | 6 | — | 2,914 | 175 | 0 | 3.60 | .880 |
| 1990–91 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 35 | 8 | 12 | 8 | — | 1,870 | 112 | 0 | 3.59 | .872 |
| 1992–93 | Hartford Whalers Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... |
NHL | 50 | 16 | 27 | 3 | — | 2,656 | 184 | 0 | 4.16 | .876 |
| 1993–94 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 47 | 17 | 24 | 5 | — | 2,750 | 137 | 2 | 2.99 | .906 |
| 1994–95 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 42 | 17 | 19 | 4 | — | 2,418 | 108 | 0 | 2.68 | .912 |
| 1995–96 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 66 | 28 | 28 | 6 | — | 3,669 | 190 | 4 | 3.11 | .907 |
| 1996–97 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 51 | 22 | 22 | 6 | — | 2,985 | 134 | 4 | 2.69 | .914 |
| 1997–98 | Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... |
NHL | 25 | 7 | 11 | 5 | — | 1,415 | 66 | 1 | 2.80 | .899 |
| 1997–98 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 16 | 2 | 9 | 4 | — | 838 | 49 | 0 | 3.51 | .876 |
| 1997–98 | Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 11 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — | 632 | 27 | 1 | 2.56 | .913 |
| 1998–99 | Florida Panthers Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... |
NHL | 59 | 21 | 24 | 14 | — | 3,402 | 151 | 3 | 2.66 | .907 |
| 1999–2000 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | 418 | 18 | 0 | 2.58 | .913 |
| 1999–2000 | Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... |
NHL | 35 | 17 | 14 | 3 | — | 2,074 | 88 | 3 | 2.55 | .914 |
| 2000–01 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 62 | 25 | 22 | 13 | — | 3,644 | 138 | 4 | 2.27 | .922 |
| 2001–02 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 60 | 33 | 21 | 6 | — | 3,587 | 137 | 5 | 2.29 | .920 |
| 2002–03 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 22 | 12 | 6 | 2 | — | 1,248 | 44 | 2 | 2.11 | .930 |
| 2003–04 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 32 | 10 | 15 | 5 | — | 1,795 | 84 | 1 | 2.81 | .908 |
| 2003–04 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 15 | 6 | 5 | 2 | — | 825 | 35 | 1 | 2.55 | .910 |
| 2005–06 | Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the... |
NHL | 35 | 14 | 10 | — | 4 | 1,713 | 80 | 2 | 2.80 | .895 |
| 2006–07 | Los Angeles Kings Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 23 | 6 | 10 | — | 5 | 1,310 | 68 | 1 | 3.11 | .901 |
| NHL totals | 820 | 324 | 341 | 101 | 9 | 46,440 | 2,290 | 38 | 2.96 | .902 | ||
International play
Burke played in 11 games for the Canadian National team in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics. He served as the back-up Goalie in the 1991 Canada Cup1991 Canada Cup
The 1991 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament played in September 1991. The finals took place in Montreal on September 14 and Hamilton, Ontario on September 16, and were won by Canada. The Canadians defeated the USA in a two game sweep, to win the fifth and final Canada...
, and has also played in 130 games for other Canadian National teams from 1985 through 2003.