By Jaeden Demelo

UNBC Timberwolves

10th Annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night record breaking attendance with Brian Burke

Nov 22, 2024 | 5:26 PM

PRINCE GEORGE— The Prince George Conference and Civic Centre was the host of the 10th Annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night on Thursday. After having names like Hayley Wickenheiser, Michael “Pinball” Clemons and Theo Fleury as past keynote speakers, they knocked it out of the park once again, with longtime NHL executive Brian Burke.

“I was contacted several months ago about coming out here, and I jumped out at it. I love stuff like this. I love being here. What a beautiful part of the world that is here in Prince George. I’m really excited to be here,” said Burke on the opportunity to be this year’s keynote speaker at Legacy Night.

All the funds raised during the event was doubled by the school and went directly to the UNBC student-athletes through scholarships and bursaries.

Nearly 600 people were in attendance for the proceedings, close to two times the amount at the first Timberwolves Legacy Night ten years ago.

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While Burke is most known for his over three decades of serving as an executive for multiple teams throughout the NHL, including winning a Stanley Cup in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks, he had more to share than just hockey stories.

The 69-year-old has been a 2SLGBTQIA+ rights advocate for over a decade, including starting the “You Can Play” campaign to carry on his son Brendan’s legacy, who passed from a car accident in 2010. He’s also the current Executive Director of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association and pushes for inclusion to all in sports.

“I’m hoping the day comes when I don’t have to talk about it. I hope the day comes when we include people at a rate that’s acceptable to me, and doesn’t matter who you go home with, doesn’t matter what church you go to, said Burke. “Part of the message is to talk about how important it is and get these behaviors to change, get the ignorance and apathy changed and make a difference in people’s lives.”

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Email: jaeden.demelo@pattisonmedia.com