Brendan Burke Dead: Son Of Leafs GM Brian Burke Dies In Car Crash

Brendan Burke, son of Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke, has died in a car crash at 21 years old, the Maple Leafs said in a statement tonight.

Globe and Mail reporter James Mirtle tweeted the news late Friday night, shortly after the Leafs' 4-3 loss at New Jersey.

A local news source in Indiana states that the crash was weather-related and occurred on the U.S. 35. Heavy snowfall in the area had made the roads dangerous.

Mirtle said details were not immediately available, but more on Brendan Burke would be posted tonight on www.globesports.com.

Damien Cox of the Toronto Star tweeted the following:

Oh my goodness, what awful news. Brian Burke's son, Brendan, was killed in a car accident today in Indiana. Huge prayers to the family.

Brendan Burke courageous young man. Came out in ESPN.com story earlier this year. Hoped to have a career in hockey. So sad.

Brendan Burke was just 21 years old. His 18-year-old friend, a passenger in the car, was also killed in treacherous, snowy conditions.

Besides being GM of the Maple Leafs, Brian Burke is also the GM of the Team USA Olympic Hockey Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Comments

[kcflood]

12:29 AM on 02/08/2010

Very upsetting.

[Gayle Lecus]

11:59 AM on 02/06/2010

I'ts sad when you lose a child regardless if the person is different. Brian loved that boy in spite of his coming out. And the Olympics are going to be there in Vancouver next week and the elder Burke will have to deal with this during that time, but I believe that his son wanted him to be there and coach the U.S. to victory.

My prayers are for Brian, his wife and his family as they deal through this.

[grumbledog]

03:13 PM on 02/06/2010

"Regardless if the person is different"? "In spite of his coming out"?

Sigh.

[susan166]

09:07 AM on 02/06/2010

a week after the married Chelsea captain lost a High Court battle to ban publication of details captain lost http://usspost.com/brendan-burke-www-usspost-com-5088/

[gerontion72]

02:00 AM on 02/06/2010

So sad, especially after Brendan showed so much courage in his life.

[ilikemusic]

08:41 AM on 02/06/2010

I would say it is sad regardless.

[Ari Winkleman]

10:48 PM on 02/05/2010

This is awful. My thoughts go out to the Burke family.

[MCJanes]

10:42 PM on 02/05/2010

Though I was born and raised to absolutely despise the Leafs, like any true Habs fan, my deepest of condolences to the entire family and their friends.

[Ari Winkleman]

10:48 PM on 02/05/2010

Bruins fan says the same