On Tuesday, the Lethbridge Hurricanes traded away their top offensive player, shipping star forward Brayden Burke to the Moose Jaw Warriors. On Wednesday, the team’s general manager explained why he dealt Burke, and he didn’t hold back.
“He was distracted a lot from day one,” Peter Anholt said. “He wasn’t great at (training camp). I just really sensed that he was a distraction to our team in a lot of ways.”
In return for Burke, the ‘Canes received forward Ryan Bowen, a second round draft pick in 2017, along with a conditional draft pick.
Anholt and Burke have known each other for quite some time, in fact Anholt was part of the group that drafted Burke when he was with the Red Deer Rebels. On Wednesday, Anholt made it clear that Burke had run out of chances to play for the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
“We want players to understand, we will give you every opportunity you can have to be a player here, within reason,” Anholt said. “In his (Brayden Burke’s) case he took it for granted, and abused it. So it’s time to move on.”
Anholt was clearly frustrated with Burke, but there’s no debating his offensive talent. The skilled forward put up 109 points last season, the first ‘Cane to hit the century mark since Jeremy Jackson did it in 2002. This year, Burke was leading the ‘Canes in points again, but despite his obvious talent, Anholt felt it was time to ship Burke out.
“I gave him a great coaching staff to work with to enable him to put up over a 100 points last year with a real good team,” Anholt said. “You give a guy lots of opportunities, lots of breaks, and in the end they kind of stick it to you.”
Anholt served as the Hurricanes interim head coach in late October while Brent Kisio was away at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge. In the time since he went behind the bench, he saw enough to make the decision to trade Burke.
“I think anybody who’s been on a team realizes what a good teammate is. Making good decisions when you’re away from the rink and someone’s not looking over your shoulder. That’s the bottom line,” Anholt said. “We had guys that signed here because of my vision and what we wanted to do with the hockey club. And when somebody stifles that, and I see that, and I saw it even closer when I was up close and personal as a coach, it’s time to make a call.”
That call was trading Burke. He’s a dynamic talent, but Anholt believes his team will be improved after the trade.
“I think we’ll be a better team as we come through this (adversity). Last year we had none until playoffs, and what good did it do? It’s kind of interesting that one of the players that didn’t really play well in playoffs was one of the ones we moved out. We will be a better team.”
Anholt also believes the move will help his younger players.
“Maybe not move up in the line-up, but grow,” Anholt said. “Grow as players, and leaders, and people.”
When asked how he felt Burke would perform in Moose Jaw, Anholt responded.
“I don’t care. He’s a Moose Jaw Warrior now. I don’t care.”
The Hurricanes return to action on Sunday when they host the Saskatoon Blades.