Flames executive caps of Oilfields speaker series

A Stanley Cup winning NHL executive knows all about the challenges life can throw at someone.

Those challenges go beyond missing the playoffs, it’s about helping young men and women.

Brian Burke, Calgary Flames president of hockey operations, will be the guest speaker at Oilfields High School in Black Diamond on April 4 as part of its Parents Speaker Series. He won a Stanley Cup as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

“He is going to talk about how any kid can play hockey— and we are such a hockey community, we thought it would be great to have him speak here,” said Oilfields High School guidance counsellor Paulette Morck. “I heard him speak in Calgary and I told him, ‘We would love to have you speak in our little town.’

“I told him, ‘We have rodeo kids, hockey kids and you’re such a man’s man, but your message is so compassionate and caring.’”

The talk will vary from life skills to Burke’s work with the Flames, and life in hockey.

“He talks about raising young people to be someone you can be proud of,” Morck said.

“He talks about listening to players — the mental health of players — and how we are creating this culture that young men can’t be in touch with their feelings and they are struggling.

“He talks about important issues and things that are close to my heart.”

Burke will also address homophobia in sports.

His son, Brendan Burke, was a student hockey manager with the Miami of Ohio RedHawks. Brendan came out nationally about his sexuality in 2009 and became an advocate for acceptance of all athletes in sports. Brendan was killed in a car crash on Feb. 5, 2010 in Indiana.

His brother, Patrick Burke, who is with the NHL department of player safety, co-founded You Can Play in 2010. You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation. Brian Burke is on the You Can Play advisory board.

Burke’s talk starts at 7 p.m. in the Oilfields Drama Room. There is no cost, but organizers are asking for a donation of $5.

For information and to RSVP for Burke’s talk go to www.bit.ly/OHSBURKE. For information on Egale, the Canadian partner of You Can Play, go to www.egale.ca/portfolio/you-can-play-canada

[email protected]