Games bring Burke

Brian Burke and Lakehead Thunderwolves captain Jordan Smith go way back.

In 2004 the current president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs held the reins of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, as the team was known at the time.
 
With his second pick of the NHL entry draft, Burke snagged Smith with the 39th overall pick, putting the 6-foot-2, 220-pound defender on the fast track to the big leagues.

The Sault Ste. Marie native impressed, but a deflected shot off the stick of Portland teammate Jeff Tambellini’s stick derailed his professional career at the American Hockey League level.

Burke, who spent the day in Thunder Bay in support of one of his favourite causes – the Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games – said Smith’s injury had a profound effect on his view of the game and how it’s played.

“It’s basically changed my view on defencemen wearing visors,” said Burke, after making a short speech to the unified athletes and volunteers at Fort William Historical Park. “But he’s gone on and really had a great career here as a university player. He’s a great kid.”

“He was a wonderful young man, still is, and I have maintained some email and phone contact with him over the years. I think the world of him. He’s a smart hockey player and I know he’s done great things in the community here while he’s been playing at Lakehead.”

When told Smith was leaving on Saturday for the World University Games – one of two Thunderwolves to make the trek, the other being Matt Caria – Burke said he wasn’t surprised.

The 55-year-old executive, who also served as GM of the Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers, as well as vice-president and director of operations for the league, said Smith was one of the toughest players he ever drafted, and one of the most respected.

Burke recalled a fight – easily found on YouTube – between Smith and Cam Janssen, now a member of the St. Louis Blues.

“Players on both teams were tapping the pads of both players. So after Jordan fought, some of the players came over and tapped him on the shin pad. That’s how good the fight was. He was tough, he was good positionally. There’s no question in my mind he would have been a good NHL defenceman,” Burke said, promising to call Smith on his way to the airport after members of the media passed a phone number on.
 
“That he’s been able to carry on his career and he’s off to Turkey for the World University Games, good for him.”

Smith, who called Burke a pretty “cut-and-dried” guy, had fond memories of the man who drafted him, saying Burke helped him through some pretty dark moments in his life.

“He’s the type of guy if you put it on the line for him, then he’ll definitely put it on the line for you. He’s a guy you want in your corner,” said Smith, in his fifth and final season with the Wolves. “We’ve stayed in contact over the years. He’s not necessarily you call up to chit-chat with, but I did have a talk with him last year when times got tough, so it’s nice to know you’ve got a guy like that to talk to.”

The Sault Ste. Marie native, who will play for the Wolves on Friday night before joining Team Canada, said he’s looking forward to the experience.

“It’s a great honour to be recognized. But I owe a lot to my teammates. We went on a good run before I got to the camp invite, before Matt, Kris (Hogg) and I went down. It’s a tribute to team success. I’m really looking forward to getting over there and representing my country and hopefully bringing back the gold medal.”

The Wolves take on the Brock Badgers Friday and Saturday night at Fort William Gardens.