After losing Luke Richardson to Chicago as their next head coach (once a contract is finalized next week), the Canadiens have lost another veteran hockey coach and executive as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports in the latest 32 Thoughts podcast (audio link) that the Golden Knights will be hiring Sean Burke in a yet-to-be-determined role; Sirius XM’s Jonathan Davis clarifies (Twitter link) that Burke will become their Director of Goaltending.
That’s the same role that the long-time NHL goaltender was in with Montreal after taking on that position back in March of 2021 after spending parts of five seasons with them as a scout. Burke has also served as a goalie coach with both the Canadiens and the Coyotes in the past although he has been interested in the management side of the game lately so it’s not a given that he’ll take on that role with Vegas. Burke has managerial experience internationally, serving as Canada’s GM at the Olympics, the World Championship, plus the Spengler and Karjala Cups.
Burke will, however, likely play a role in whether or not current goalie coach Mike Rosati returns next season. At the time that Peter DeBoer was let go, GM Kelly McCrimmon indicated that Rosati would have a chance to interview with their new coach (the recently-hired Bruce Cassidy) to see if he retains his position but they’ll certainly lean on Burke’s experience in helping to make that decision in the weeks to come.
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