On this day in NHL history, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they would not be renewing Brian Burke’s contract as general manager, ending his six-year run as the team’s general manager.
On this day in 2004, Brian Burke's tenure with the Canucks came to an end when the club announced his contract as general manager would not be renewed #Hockey365 #Canucks pic.twitter.com/lQrmCbtUIH
— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) May 3, 2020
In 1998, Brian Burke became the general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. In his time with the franchise, Burke is sometimes credited with reviving the franchise and increasing attendance after a series of success drafts and signings, bringing in several key players such as Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. Never opposed to making a big move, Burke made 45 trades in his time as the Canucks’ GM with some having effects that are still felt today.
In early April, he asked about the most impactful and meaningful trade of his career, Burke said that it was no doubt the one made to bring both Daniel and Henrik Sedin to Vancouver:
The Sedins, shockingly. It was met with a great deal of skepticism at the time because of their mediocre World Juniors. Other than that, Federov for Beauchemin. We traded a big name for a defenseman no one had heard of, but worked out well for the Ducks. #askBurkie https://t.co/rmpIckQzFb
— Brian Burke (@Burkie2020) April 2, 2020
Following the 2003–04 NHL season, Canucks ownership chose not to renew Burke’s contract for the GM position and he moved on to join the Anaheim Ducks organization where he won a Stanley Cup in 2007. Burke’s total record with the Canucks franchise was 219-181-68-24.
