Bernie Burke

Bernie M. Burke Jr. was an American ice hockey goaltender who won a silver medal at the 1950 World Championships and captained the Boston College to the national championship in 1949.[1]

Bernie Burke
Born (1925-05-27)May 27, 1925
Newton, Massachusetts, USA
Died August 13, 2013(2013-08-13) (aged 88)
Position Goaltender
Played for Boston College
Boston Olympics
Playing career 1942–1950
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  United States
World Championships
1950 London Team

Career

Burke first began attending Boston College in 1942, joining the ice hockey team under John Kelley. After his freshman year, however, the university, along with many of its contemporaries, suspended its ice hockey program due to the United States' involvement with World War II. Burke left college and joined the Navy, spending approximately three years in the service.[2]

After leaving the Navy Burke returned to BC for the 1946–47 school year and rejoined the hockey team. He eventually became the starter and helped the Eagles reach the inaugural NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament in 1948.[3]

Burke was selected as team captain for his senior season. He led the Eagles to their best record in team history, finishing their regular season with a 17–1 record. Burke held the fort in two tough battles to win the New England Tournament (the precursor to the Beanpot) and garner the Eagles a second consecutive bid to the national tournament. Boston College won both games to capture the championship, with Burke being named to the NCAA All-Tournament Second Team.[4]

After graduating, Burke joined the US National Team for the 1950 World Championships, winning a silver medal.[5] Burke retired following the 1950 season and, after a year off, returned to his alma mater to serve as the coach for the freshman team. He remained in that position until the NCAA ended the restriction for freshman on varsity teams, after which he became the goaltending coach for the varsity squad. He retired in 1993, after more than 45 years at Boston College.

Honors

Burke was inducted into the Boston College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973

Awards and honors
Award Year
AHCA Second Team All-American 1947–48 [6]
NCAA All-Tournament First Team 1948 [4]
AHCA First Team All-American 1948–49 [7]
NCAA All-Tournament Second Team 1949 [4]

References
  1. "Bernie M. Burke". Legacy.com. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  2. "Four of This Year's Hockey Lights Not to Return". Boston College Libraries. March 18, 1949. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  3. "NCAA Division 1 Tournament". College Hockey Historical Archives. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  4. "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved 2013-06-19.
  5. "1950 IIHF Men's World Championship". USA Hockey. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  6. "1947-1948 All-American Team". The American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  7. "1948-1949 All-American Team". The American Hockey Coaches Association. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
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