Sean Burke Retires

Former Lightning netminder Sean Burke has decided to hang up the skates. In his season with the Bolts, Burke was 14-10-4, with 2 shutouts, a 2.8GAA and a .895 save percentage. Here's a bite from the official press releaase from the NHLPA:

Sean Burke, an accomplished veteran of international and professional hockey, officially announced his retirement today from the National Hockey League.

Drafted 24th overall in the 1985 Entry Draft, Burke, 40, broke into the league near the end of the 1988-89 season with the New Jersey Devils, after participating in the 1988 Olympics. He proceeded to lead them to the playoffs for the first time since the franchise moved to New Jersey, with a 10-1-0 record down the stretch. Behind Burke’s brilliant play, the Devils reached the Wales Conference final that year, solidifying Burke as a steady and reliable goaltender in the NHL.

In total, Burke played for nine different NHL teams over the course of his career. After leaving New Jersey, he would suit up for Hartford, Philadelphia, Carolina, Vancouver, Florida, Phoenix, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles. In each of these cities, he was a team leader and a key contributor to the success of the franchise.

“I have been very fortunate to enjoy a long and eventful professional hockey career,” said Burke. “In retirement, I will certainly miss the camaraderie with my teammates and the interaction with the fans most of all.”
His career highlights include: being the runner-up for the King Clancy Trophy for excellent play and humanitarian contributions in 1993-94; playing in the 1989, 1995 and 2002 NHL All-Star Games; and, finishing as a finalist in voting for the Lester B. Pearson Award in 2001-02. Burke finishes his career with 820 games-played, which ranks him 12th all-time amongst goalies, 6th all time on the career shutouts list (38) and 19th all time in career wins as a goaltender (324).

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