Tue 18 Sep 2007
Sean Burke has decided to hang up the skates, announcing his retirement on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old netminder was originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 1985 draft, appearing in four seasons for the Devils. He also skated for the Whalers, Flyers, Hurricanes, Canucks, Panthers, Coyotes, Lightning and Kings.
Coming straight out of Canada, Burke lit the league on fire in his NHL debut, posting a 10-1 record with a 3.05 GAA to propel the Devils to their historic first playoff berth in 1988.
Although he was unable to capture a Stanley Cup throughout his 20 year career, Burke holds an Olympic Silver Medal, three NHL All-Star appearances and two IIHF World Championship Gold Medals.
Burke also holds the franchise record for most games played by a goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Best of luck in retirement, Sean!
September 18th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
That 1988 playoff run was one of my favorite sports memories. I was a freshman in college in a small west virginia school about 90 minutes west of DC. An upper classman had parties for each of the Caps/Devs series(of course I was the only Devs fan admist 20 caps fans). What a memorable series with Sundstrum and the single game points record, donuts, the disputed series winning goal and of course our savior straight out of the olympics. Thanks for the trip down memory lane SB. Good Luck!
September 18th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Damn Koharski! I was 3.
September 18th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Oh man, I was out of High school by then too. Burke was the Man at that time and finally (with the help of Johnny Mac) gave the Dev’s some respect in the league, and I will always be gratefull to Him for that. All of the best Burkey, and thanks for all of the great game memories.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
[...] akelley@sa.ua.edu (Angela Kelley) wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAlthough he was unable to capture a Stanley Cup throughout his 20 year career, Burke holds an Olympic Silver Medal, three NHL All-Star appearances and two IIHF World Championship Gold Medals. Burke also holds the franchise record for … [...]
September 18th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Just like that. Many guys will be hanging it up over the next couple of months. It was a good run.
tdr
September 19th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Burke should have had a chance to go to the Cup Finals in 88…May Koharski rot forever knowing he basically handed a playoff series to the Bruins who never deserved to win.
Bon voyage Sean.
September 19th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
As a Flyers fan I caught a lot of lip for being a Burke fan when he played for the Devils. As a young kid playing goal I watched a lot of goalies, but Burke was one of my favorite. I was happy to see him come to Philly.
Good Luck Sean