Former Canucks GM Brian Burke gets Hall-of-Fame call along with five players

A former Vancouver Canucks general manager is heading to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Brian Burke got the call to the Hall on Monday, in the builder’s category. The 70-year-old former NHL executive will be inducted alongside five players: Carey Price, Patrice Bergeron, Keith Tkachuk, Pekka Rinne, and Cindy Curley.

One of the biggest personalities in NHL history, Burke got his start in the league with the Canucks in 1987, as vice president and director of hockey operations under the late Pat Quinn. Quinn, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, was on Burke’s mind after getting the call.

“I am grateful to all of the people who helped me throughout my career,” said Burke. “Especially the Big Three – Lou Lamoriello, Pat Quinn and Gary Bettman.”

Burke left Vancouver to become GM of the Hartford Whalers in 1992, before moving on for a job in the NHL head office in 1993. He eventually returned to Vancouver in 1998, holding the role of general manager until 2004.

Burke’s biggest move with the Canucks was on draft day in 1999, when he orchestrated multiple trades to be able to select both Daniel and Henrik Sedin. He also traded Pavel Bure to the Florida Panthers in 1999, and brought back Trevor Linden in a trade in 2001.

Burke went on to win a Stanley Cup as GM of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, and also held team president roles with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Sedins referenced Burke recently when speaking about repairing the Canucks’ reputation in the community.

“Looking back, 26 years ago, when we flew into the city, Brian Burke told us that this was the No. 1 organization in the league when it comes to community involvement. We need to get to that point,” Daniel Sedin said after being introduced as Canucks co-president of hockey operations, alongside his brother Henrik.

The 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame induction is set for Nov. 9 in Toronto, with other celebratory events beginning on Nov. 7.

You might also like:
• Brian Burke ditched his own daughter's birthday to complete Sedin trades