Horrible news

My condolences to the Burke family and to all those who knew this young man. 

...back in the '60s I spent a few years in the military (US Marines), and so it is natural I follow with interest today's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in the US. ...back in the 60s you had your percentage of gays likely as exists today, ...except then it was wise, to keep it hidden, as there was more intolerance for homosexuality

...to be honest, if I had to serve in the military today, I would still be extremely uncomfortable knowing my bunkmate or showermate, and fellow soldier ...was gay ...and presume today it still must be extremely difficult for the majority of our military-personnel to accept

...I do realize being gay is usually not 'a choice', but likely as 'inherent' as I am a heterosexual

...LIFE is not as straight-forward (excuse the pun) as We wish ...and this conundrum Brian Burke faced when his young son announced his homosexuality was a challenge to his character ...of which challenge he succeeded under the microscope of the media, if not personally, with honour

...a son is a son IS a son...YOUR child ! ...part of your being ...part of your soul

...I am certain life's reality was as difficult for Brendan on many levels as it was for Brian

...occasions like these, when life absolutely sucks, rips one's heart right out of one's body ...and there are no words that can make it feel better

...I know if I was Brian, ...words would mean nothing now

Habitant means PASSIONATE HOCKEY

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=423049

Holy cow... I have heard how Burke is a good father, I read an article about Brendan and even saw a video feature, this is terrible news and I feel so bad for him...

"love cannot drown truth, Nefertiti"

My deepest sympathies to the Burke family.

I've always liked Brian Burke, I think he's an brilliant hockey man and great for the game. This one hurts.

There is an italian saying that translates to "Never two without three".

First Ryan's mom, now Brian's son.....

My heartfelt sympathies to both families.

Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.

Good god. Can you imagine what the next few weeks are going be like for this man. Burying a son, with all the silliness of the Olympics and the trading deadline going on to remind him exactly where hockey ranks in the grand scheme of things. I wish him luck.

How sad to see what was such an inspiring story just a few months ago have such a tragic ending.  Condolences to the family.

Although I hate him as a GM, I want to extend my most sincere condolences to Brian Burke and his family. A parent should never outlive their child, especially with these tragic circumstances.

Such horrible news.  My deepest condolences to Mr. Burke and his family. 

As a mother I just can't even conceive the thought of losing my child.  With Ryan O'Byrne losing his mom and Brian Burke losing his son, it's been a very sad week.  I've shed several tears thinking of them. 

My heart also goes out to Bob Gainey who, as others have stated, must be grieving the loss of his daughter all over again.

Family is everything.

............ "Thank you Cammy for making my day even more amazing!" I STILL BELIEVE. I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE.

How sad :(

Well, I am not a fan of the Leafs or Burke's bombastic attitude but I would never wish this type of tragedy on anyone.

At the end of the day we are all human and hockey doesn't supercede family.

Very sad to hear of his tragic loss :(

A few weeks from now we may have forgotten of this loss but it's something that will be with him forever :(

How tragic and sad. My condolences to the family.

Having lost a child myself my heart goes out to Brian and his family. 

My deepest condolences to Brian Burke and his family and loved ones.

"We will win the Cup one day only with ? in the nets "

Really sad to see this news.

Many years ago, I came across something that observed that a spouse losing his or her partner is a widower and a child losing his or her parents is an orphan; when parents lose a child, we are left without words.

Deeply heartfelt condolences to the Burke family.

lots of hugs coming for my two boys today.

I met Mr. Burke in the gift shop at the Pacific Coliseum on Renfrew Street back in the early 90's.  He was still Canuucks' Director of Player Personnel... what a great guy.  He comes up to me while I'm looking at the Canuck baby sleepers and introduces himself (I address him as "Mr. Burke", he says, "Call me Brian").  He asks me about my baby daughter and he tells me about his boy, Brendan.  Always admired Mr. Burke... always will.

*Do as Sam Pollock would do.*

I'm sure this moment is not very easy also for Mr. Gainey as he may be going through memories of his ex-wife and daughter.

Very sad. Can't imagine losing a child. My heart goes out to him.

This is very sad and unfortunate.  I send my sincere condolences to Mr. Burke and the rest of the Burke family.  I couldn't imagine a parent having to bury their own child.  I hope and pray they rely on God's strength during this difficult time.

I said the leafs would win a cup in 5 years when they picked up burky.  He was a smart man were ever he has been a gm, he is a smart man now, and he is going to be much stronger after this.  There is nothing you could really say at these times, but we now the hockey community is behind the burke family.

Oh. my. god. There are no words to say how extremely sad this. Family is everything. My deeepest deepest thoughts and prayers to Mr. Burke and his family. :(

wow this is really shoking.

In NHL circles as a hockey guy over the years, either as a GM, NHL executive or TSN analyst, I never liked Brian Burke, he was always so full of himself.

In November when his son Brendan came out in ESPN, I finally got to see a whole new side to the guy. One that was likeable and admirable. I came to take his hot air blown as a GM in stride.

Yesterday, Brendan was killed in a car crash and it hit me in a lot of ways, not only as a parent as most of us are but as a hockey guy, I imagined Burke playing hockey with Brendan when he was a young lad and the great father-son moments two hockey crazy guys can share - hell, we are all on this Habs forum for one reason: our love of hockey. It has made us all brothers (and sisters), we have our disagreements but that's what families do.

Today we wake up having lost a family member.

Rest in peace, Brendan, keep watching the game from beyond. My heart goes out to you, Brian, my thoughts are with you, even if you are a blowhard as a GM, it stopped rubbing me the wrong way awhile ago.

My thoughts also go out to Bob Gainey, whose wounds over the loss of daughter Laura five years ago are probably re-opened with this tragedy.

Hockey, it's only a game but it's also more than a game.

wow. puts things into perspective.

Terrible news, my deepest sympathies to Brian Burke and his family.

I am about as far away from being a fan of Burke and the Leafs as anybody on this planet but at times like this you have to feel compassion for Burke, this is truly a tragedy that no parent should have to endure.

Hasn't been a good week... Ryan's mother first, and now Burke's son.

My deepest empathies to both families. Stay strong Burkes and O'Byrnes. 

Such tragic news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Burke family.

Oh my god...

Sympathies to Burke and his family.

... absolutely heart-wrenching news. My profound sympathies to Mr. Burke, his wife and children, and all those who are close to the family. In having his relationship with his son made public, and now this tragic death, Brian has certainly gone through enough this winter to surpass anything one person should have to endure.

"Whenever you have the puck, and don't know what to do with it, put it in the net." - Toe Blake

Condolences to the Burke Family. Horrible news.

Very sad. As a parent I couldn't imagine that.  Condolences to the Burke family.