Brian Burke

PWHL & past NHL Executive, LGBTQ+ Advocate

An accomplished executive whose career has been highlighted by winning a Stanley Cup and Olympic silver medal, Brian Burke’s passion and contributions to the betterment of the game of hockey have touched every level of the sport. Former general manager for the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames & Anaheim Ducks, he now serves as the first-ever executive director of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association. Burke has also worked in broadcasting during his career, including as an analyst for both Rogers and Sportsnet. A strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, Burke established the You Can Play project that targets homophobia and promotes safety and inclusion in sports, in honor of his late son, Brendan. He was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023.

Keynote Topics

Leadership & Lessons from a Life in Professional Sports

In this highly entertaining presentation, Brian Burke shares stories of his journey through the hockey world, including building a career in professional sports; dealing with the ups and downs; as well as challenges and opportunities in today’s environment for the players and professionals. Burke sheds lights on the three pillars he uses to build a successful organization:

Running it like a business
Entertaining your target audience
Promoting charity & community work with your team.

Why Choose Brian Burke

Brian is a charismatic speaker and his delivery is based on a history of tremendous business successes, which have given him the authority to speak so dynamically.

Macdonald Realty

The evening went very well. Brian was phenomenal. He truly is a dynamic and engaging speaker. The Q&A was the highlight of his time with us. Brian was also very gracious with his time and spoke with whomever approached him. Everything worked out just as expected. The guests were truly engaged. It was a great evening and we probably could have gone for another hour with Brian speaking. Everyone thought it was fantastic.

Toronto Transportation Club