Brendan Burke will join Butch Goring on New York Islanders telecasts for the 2016-17 season.
Brendan Burke has emerged as the victor in the sweepstakes to replace longtime play-by-play man Howie Rose, the New York Islanders announced Thursday.
The consensus was that radio host Don Lagreca, current PBP broadcaster Chris King and über-popular personality Jiggs McDonald were all courted about the vacancy.
However, Burke was the individual picked for the job, and it seems like he is a worthy choice. Despite his age, Burke has always been one step ahead of the curve.
Burke was named to the “Top 30 Sportscasters Under 30” list by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America in 2014. He was the youngest broadcaster in the entire ECHL, and the Sports Director at Ithaca College for both campus radio stations.
In addition, he’s garnered a plethora of accolades during some brief stints as the voice of the Batavia Muckdogs (MiLB, NYPL), Lakewood BlueClaws (MiLB, SAL), Wheeling Nailers (ECHL), Peoria Rivermen (AHL) and Utica Comets (AHL).
Burke was awarded the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for the 2014-15 season (recognizes outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League). He was also honored as the 2008 ECHL Broadcaster of the Year and was selected to broadcast the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game.
“We are excited that Brendan Burke, one of the top young broadcasters in the country, will join us as our new Islanders play-by-play commentator,” said Andrea Greenberg, president and CEO, MSG Networks. “Brendan joins our exceptional production team, including on-air talent Butch Goring, Shannon Hogan, and Stan Fischer at the start of what promises to be another exciting Islanders season.”
“It is an incredible honor to be joining MSG Networks and becoming part of the Islanders family,” said Burke. “It’s very humbling to think I am following in the footsteps of two of the all-time greats in Howie Rose and Jiggs McDonald. It has been a lifelong goal to be an NHL broadcaster and to come home to New York City, and to work for one of the NHL’s iconic franchises, is an absolute dream come true.”
Burke is a talent, which is precisely what the Isles’ current roster is comprised of. He is evidently a natural broadcaster and was quite possibly the best announcer in the AHL.
He’s now a member of the Isles family.
