Burke brings an impressive resume and reputation to Calgary, he started as GM of Hartford Whalers. Then General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks. In 2006 he became GM of the Anaheim Ducks. On November 29, 2008, Burke was introduced as the president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, replacing interim general manager Cliff Fletcher.

Burke has also acted in an executive capacity for USA Hockey including being the General Manager for the United States national team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in Edina, Minnesota, Burke graduated from Providence College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. While attending Providence, he played for the Friars Division-I ice hockey team, where, during his senior year, he served as captain. The team was coached by Lou Lamoriello. He was a teammate with Ron Wilson at Providence.

In 1977, Burke played seven games with the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League (AHL). Burke then proceeded to play one full year in the AHL with the Maine Mariners, who won the AHL Calder Cup Championship that year. After one year in the AHL, Burke attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1981.

Brian Burke’s name evokes that of a strong, compassionate advocate of the LGBT community. You Can Play is a social activism campaign dedicated to the eradication of homophobia in sports. To me YCP means that there is support out there for LGBT athletes and that the sports world is becoming more accepting. It could lead to a more inclusive Calgary knowing that Burke is there, to change the conversation.

Editor’s Note: Kyle is running for office. Support his campaign for Councillor in Corbonear, NL. Vote Kyle on 24th.

I’m the writer for the Calgary Flames. The team is now represented here – better late than later. The team is a little… OK, a lot older than I am. Growing up I always had two favorite teams the Flames and the Leafs. I’d never miss a game. I became a Flames fan during the ’07 season after developing a bit of a crush on Mikael Backlund. After seeing him on TV I decided to start watching more Flames games and grew to like the team. See what I mean?

Into my teen years I began to realize I was gay and the misconception was that gay kids didn’t play hockey. So I didn’t tell anyone until I was 19 and in college. I didn’t want anyone to know I was somehow different from everyone else.

I knew there had to be gay hockey players or some form of community I could relate to, luckily I found PuckBuddys. After reading the first entry I knew this was the site for me.

Right now, I’m on Iggy watch: according to sports news services, the 35-year-old Iginla has submitted a list of four teams he is willing to waive his no-movement clause for a trade: the Boston Bruins, L.A. Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Blackhawks. Coincidentally, that list happens to include the last four Stanley Cup champions. Iginla had been with the team for 16 years and it could be tough to say goodbye.

I hope to contribute for a long time. See how long you can put up with me…