Toronto — Brendan Burke, 21, was killed in an automobile crash on a snowy highway in Indiana on Friday. Burke an University of Miami-Ohio student, had drawn the attention of the hockey world due to a November 2009 ESPN.com article about his inspirational coming out story.
The ESPN story detailed the love and acceptance Burke got from his dad, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and his family during the coming out process. Brian Burke is a legendary NHL general manager, know for his toughness and building winning teams.
Brendan Burke, of Canton, Mass., and his passenger, Mark A. Reedy, 18, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., died at the scene of a two-vehicle accident at U.S. 35 north of Economy, Indiana. The accident was reported at 2:50 p.m.
Investigators said Burke was driving eastbound on U.S. 35 in a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee when, according to witnesses, the vehicle slid sideways into an oncoming 1997 Ford Truck driven by 24-year-old Michael Moreland of Lynn. Moreland was not hurt.
Burke was a student assistant for the University of Miami-Ohio hockey team and had hoped for a career that would lead him into NHL management.
—Staff
