Sean Burke doing well as Phoenix Coyotes Director of Player Development –NHL offseason Update
Only a few days have passed by since former professional National Hockey League (NHL) goalie, Sean Burke, was promoted as the franchises director of player development, but according to him, he seems it was a perfect fit for his career, on the way to becoming
a general manager, something he has always dreamt about.
Burke did not start off at the top, he worked his way there.
After retiring during the 2006-2007 season, Burke joined Phoenix Coyotes' management as the director of prospect development.
Following that appointment, seeing his goaltending skills, general manager of Phoenix, Don Maloney, appointed him as the team’s defensive goalkeeper coach.
"I was heading toward management when I first retired, that's what I wanted to direct my attention to", Burke told NHL.com in an interview after his appointment. "Coaching worked out for a couple years, and I'm going to do it again next year, but this new
position gives me an opportunity to learn the management side of the game, and I'm really excited to get started with that".
Drafted as the 24th overall pick in round-two of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft by New Jersey Devils, the 6-foot-4 goalie played over 20 seasons in the major league.
His experience of playing over 820 games as a goalie and maintaining an impressive save percentage of .902, just goes to show how capable he really is.
"Sean has great knowledge of the game, outstanding communication skills and untapped potential", Coyotes' GM, Don Maloney, said in a statement last week announcing Burke's promotion.
Burke might have retired for family reasons, so he could spend more time with his young children and wife, but his love for the game of hockey has kept him staying as close as he can.
Currently, Sean Burke will remain busy since he is not amateur player development but is also monitoring Coyotes development camp which is underway for the next upcoming season.
His ambition of becoming a franchise general manager might not be too far away, but according to him, he rather takes it slow, rather than racing to the finish line.
Tags: