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Brian Burke to Enter Canada Hall of Fame as Builder

6/24/2026

23 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Burke Inducted

Canada’s Hall of Fame will induct Toronto GM Brian Burke as a builder on November 9, 2026.
He drafted the Sedin twins with the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the 1999 NHL draft.
He guided the Anaheim Ducks to a Stanley Cup championship in 2007.
He served as Toronto’s GM (2008-2013), then oversaw operations for Calgary and Pittsburgh, led the Players Association through early 2025, and championed LGBTQ+ and women’s hockey.

Summary

Don Cherry Snubbed

The Hall of Fame builder category omitted Don Cherry in 2026, naming Cindy Curley instead.
X users mocked the decision, asking how Cindy Curley entered before Don Cherry.
Commentators demanded a selection-committee overhaul after the snub.
The San Jose Sharks, who acquired Price’s contract in September 2025, tweeted congratulations after his Hall of Fame induction.

History

Historical Context

Brian Burke built the Anaheim Ducks into a champion, guiding them to their first Stanley Cup in 2007 after a record-setting 110-point regular season. That era produced Hall of Fame players such as Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne, cementing a legacy that now includes Burke’s 2026 Hall of Fame induction. Selection debates echo past controversies over award criteria.

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Burke Inducted

Canada’s Hall of Fame will induct Toronto GM Brian Burke as a builder on November 9, 2026.
He drafted the Sedin twins with the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the 1999 NHL draft.
He guided the Anaheim Ducks to a Stanley Cup championship in 2007.
He served as Toronto’s GM (2008-2013), then oversaw operations for Calgary and Pittsburgh, led the Players Association through early 2025, and championed LGBTQ+ and women’s hockey.

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