Brian Burke urges young hockey players to pursue the highest level
It’s a question many young hockey players in Medicine Hat have to ask themselves. Should one thrive at the AA level with the Hounds or struggle to stay afloat with the AAA South East Athletic Club Tigers?
As far as Calgary Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke is concerned, the highest level is always the answer.
“Personally, I’m going to play in the highest level I can play in every time. I’m going to play AAA. If our team is successful, great, if they’re not, great. I’m still going to get better and love playing,” said Burke, who spoke on young athlete development for a free seminar at Medicine Hat College Wednesday. “Now, are there other kids who will play AA? Yes, and we’ll never see those kids (at the NHL level).”
Sporting his trademark tie — completely undone and draped around his shoulders — Burke engaged in an onstage discussion with Tigers play-by-play voice Bob Ridley on the importance of growing the game the right way and fostering on-ice development in a productive manner.
Even at its highest levels, Burke insists the right road is through the highest level of competition. The 2007 Stanley Cup champion general manager went on to add concerns regarding the forked path many young elite players face of choosing the CHL or the NCAA. While the NCAA provides a guaranteed education, a pro contract can end that early. If a career in hockey is the primary goal, Burke says the route shouldn’t even be a question.
“That’s the conumdrum we have now with the CHL. American kids and Canadian kids now consciously play at a lower level of hockey so they can preserve their right to go to the NCAA,” said Burke. “The number of guys who turn pro and then go back to finish college is tiny. We’ve struggled with this as a league. We take kids out of school early then they never graduate.”