Ducks interested in Burke

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BURKE INTERESTED IN DUCKS GM JOB

Former Vancouver Canucks general manager Brian Burke is hopeful that an interview with proposed new Mighty Ducks ownership will lead to him becoming the team's new GM.

"I'm definitely interested in the job," Burke told the Vancouver Province on Tuesday.

Reports last month said that the Ducks are preparing to overhaul the front office, and that interim general manager Al Coates will not be retained. Coates' contract expires in June, as does head coach Mike Babcock's.

Former New York Rangers president and general manager Neil Smith was reportedly interviewed for the job.

Henry and Susan Samueli have agreed to purchase the team from the Walt Disney Co. as part of a $75 million US deal.

According to reports, other candidates considered are Kings assistant GM Kevin Gilmore, former San Jose Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi, and former Winnipeg Jets and Chicago Blackhawks GM Mike Smith.

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DUCKS TO ANNOUNCE BURKE AS NEW GM

The sale of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim from the Walt Disney Co. to Henry Samueli is expected to be finalized and made official this week, paving the way for the NHL club to announce Brian Burke as the team's new general manager at a news conference next week.

Sources have confirmed the announcement, as reported by the Los Angeles Times on the weekend, will be made June 20.

While Burke is new ownership's choice to oversee all hockey operations, the contract has not yet been finalized. That is expected to happen this week.

The Times reported Burke's deal is for five years, but sources told TSN it is actually a four-year contract.

Burke held his post in Vancouver for six seasons and turned the team into a playoff contender. He joined the Canucks in June 1987 when he was named vice-president and director of hockey operations. Burke left the Canucks in 1992 to serve as GM of the Hartford Whalers.

He joined the NHL front office in September 1993 as senior vice-president and director of hockey operations and spent five years with the league. During that time, he was visible in his role as the league's chief disciplinarian.

Born in New England, Burke was raised in Minnesota. He attended Providence College and played professionally for the Maine Mariners, the Philadelphia Flyers' top farm team during the 1977-78 season.

After winning the Calder Cup that season. Burke returned to Harvard Law School, graduating in 1981. He practised law for six years in Boston, specializing in representing pro hockey players, before joining the Canucks.

Disney agreed to sell the Ducks to the Samueli family back in February. Samueli's company operates the Arrowhead Pond, the Mighty Ducks' home arena.

Samueli has said he fully intends to keep the team in Anaheim, and that he won't be changing the name to Los Angeles Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Artero Moreno, who bought the Angels from Disney in 2003, caused a stir by changing the team's name from Anaheim Angels to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Disney paid $50 million US for the Ducks to join the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1992. Samueli's initial offer to Disney reportedly was in the $50 million to $60 million range.