By CKPG News

UNBC

Brian Burke returning for UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night

Jan 6, 2026 | 1:22 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Hockey executive Brian Burke is returning to Prince George for the 11th annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night.

The event will take place on January 28 at the Civic Centre and will feature a panel discussion with Burke and retired NHL players Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer.

Burke hosted Legacy Night last year and helped set a record for funds raised.

“I’m excited to be back in Prince George for the 11th annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night,” said Burke. “It’s a privilege to host the panel and talk international hockey with Dan Hamhuis and Eric Brewer.”

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A Harvard Law graduate (1981), Burke began his hockey career as a player agent before joining the Vancouver Canucks front office in 1987 alongside the late Pat Quinn. He became general manager of the Hartford Whalers in 1992, spent five years in the NHL head office, and then returned to Vancouver as GM in 1998. In 1999, Burke orchestrated the famous trades that allowed the Canucks to select both Daniel and Henrik Sedin with back-to-back picks.

Burke later guided the Anaheim Ducks to their first—and only—Stanley Cup championship in 2006–07. He then returned to Canada, serving five seasons as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs (2008–2013) before becoming president of hockey operations with the Calgary Flames from 2014–2018. Most recently, Burke held the same role with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2021–2023, before becoming executive director of the Professional Women’s Hockey League Players Association.

Burke continued, “Community support isn’t optional — it matters. Legacy Night is about showing up and backing the student-athletes of UNBC and celebrating their accomplishments in sport and in the classroom. That’s exactly what we’ll do on January 28 in Prince George.”

Hamhuis a Prince George Cougars part-owner played 1,148 NHL games with Nashville, Vancouver and Dallas. The Smithers, B.C. native represented Canada 10 times internationally, earning Olympic gold in 2014 and two world championship gold medals, among seven international medals overall.

Brewer, also a Cougars part-owner, played 1,009 NHL games with the New York Islanders, Edmonton, St. Louis, Anaheim, and Toronto. A former captain of the Blues, Brewer represented Canada eight times internationally and earned five gold medals, including at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Prior to the panel conversation, folks attending the 11th annual UNBC Timberwolves Legacy Night will also be treated to a keynote conversation with Phil Pritchard who is bringing the newly created 4 Nations Cup to Prince George.

Pritchard will kick off the keynote portion of the evening with more stories of the Stanley Cup and the 4 Nations Cup.

Tickets for the event are now available.