Burke steps down as Ducks GM, Murray to step in
Sports Network | November 12, 2008
Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The Anaheim Ducks announced Wednesday that executive vice president and general manager Brian Burke has stepped down, and that former senior vice president of hockey operations Bob Murray will replace him.
"Bob's experience and knowledge of our organization make him the ideal candidate to take over," said Ducks CEO Michael Schulman. "He's been a critical member of our organization over the last three seasons."
Burke has served as Ducks GM since June 20, 2005, and Murray was added to the front office that July. Murray, a former GM of the Chicago Blackhawks, served as a professional scout for Vancouver from 1999-2005 under then-GM Burke, who led Vancouver's front office from 1998-2004.
Under Burke's watch the Ducks overhauled their roster, adding players like Teemu Selanne, Francois Beauchemin, and Todd Marchant to become a consistent championship contender.
The Ducks reached the Western Conference finals in 2006, and won the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history the following season. Anaheim finished the 2007-08 campaign at 47-27-8 for 102 points, but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Dallas Stars.
"What Brian has done for this franchise as general manager has been remarkable," said Schulman. "He's led our club to unprecedented success since joining the team, creating an entertaining brand of hockey our community can be proud of. We cannot thank him enough for what he's done for us."
The Ducks had been in the midst of talks with Burke on an extension to his current four-year contract, which expires after this season. The 53-year-old has expressed a desire to spend more time with his family; he has two children on the West Coast and four children from a previous marriage on the East Coast.
"Brian respectfully declined our contract extension offer last week," said Schulman. "With his support, we decided to make the transition at this time in the best interest of the organization. Brian and I have been discussing his future with the Ducks for some time. Once he decided last week not to extend his contract, I decided Bob was the obvious successor and Brian agreed."
Burke, who was named the general manager for the 2010 U.S. Olympic Hockey team this summer, will assume the role of special consultant to the CEO to fill out his contract.
Murray, also 53, served as GM for the Blackhawks from 1997-99. A former Chicago defenseman who tallied 514 points and twice was an All-Star during his 15-year career, Murray retired in 1990, and joined the Blackhawks organization as a pro scout shortly thereafter.
The Ducks are off to a 9-7-1 start this season, in second place in the Pacific Division with 19 points.
