Ryan Burke of the New York Rangers controls the puck during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, September 22, 2015. Mr. Burke has been named head coach of the Cushing Academy boys hockey team. (AP Photo/Tom Michalek)
Cushing Academy announced the latest chapter of its powerhouse hockey program on Tuesday, hiring Ryan Burke as head men's hockey coach.
“We are excited to have NHL/AHL veteran Ryan Burke (’09) return to his hometown of Cushing to lead our youth hockey program,” said Cushing Academy Principal Dr. Randy Bertin. Told. “Having skated as a Cushing Penguin, Ryan knows first-hand the value of our program and our commitment to our students. The experience and expertise gained from nine successful seasons in professional hockey will help our players… The Burke family, including Ray Burke and Ryan's brother Chris Burke, have been an important part of Cushing hockey for many years, providing valuable knowledge and insight as you develop your skills. is.”
Burke played for Cushing from 2005 to 2007, scoring 50 points in 29 games in his final season with the Penguins before transferring to the United States National Development Program. He played nine seasons professionally, including a stint with the New York Rangers where he earned preseason and regular season NHL action.
“It is an honor and honor to return to my roots and be named head coach of the Penguins,” said Ryan Burke. “I'm excited to represent the school that shaped me as a person and player, and I'm ready to coach the next generation of young student-athletes. I would like to thank my Cushing family for the opportunity and support, and as a player. , and I would like to thank USA Hockey for continuing my growth as a coach. I am very excited to share my experience on campus with my wife, Maria, and my sons, Ryder and Jackson, starting at Iorio Arena. I can’t wait.”
A prolific scorer and two-way player with Cushing, Burke performed well in the U.S. National Team program, winning several medals in international competition, including a 2009 U18 World Junior Championship gold medal and a U20 WJC gold medal the following year. did.
He went on to play 585 games in the American Hockey League with the Connecticut Whale, Hartford Wolf Pack, Hershey Bears, and Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and played in the NHL with the New York Rangers in the 2014-15 season.
In 2022, Burke moved behind the bench and served as an assistant coach and manager of hockey operations for the South Carolina Stingrays, helping lead the team to a Southern Division championship. During the 2023-24 season, Burke served as an assistant coach for the U.S. U-18 National Team as part of the U.S. Hockey National Team Development Program.
“We are very pleased to have Coach Burke as head of our national men's hockey team. His vast knowledge and leadership will further build on the strong legacy and proud history of our hockey program. ” said Jennifer Viana, Cushing Director of Athletics. “Coach Burke, who most recently served as the U18 Assistant Coach for the U.S. National Team Development Program, is deeply committed to player development and will be a tremendous benefit to our student-athletes and our program.”
In addition to his role as head coach of the men's hockey team, Mr. Burke will also serve the school as an active member of the advancement department.
“I couldn't be more pleased to have Ryan back on the ice at Cushing, this time as head coach and mentoring our young players,” Ray Burke said in the school's release announcing his son's hiring. “As a person,” he said. “His immense talent, love for the game and dedication to our players will undoubtedly propel this program to new heights. As strong supporters of the Cushing Academy community, we look forward to watching this team grow and the entire Burke family will be rooting for them. I'm very happy about that.”
Cushing Academy's hockey program is consistently among the top prep schools in the country, ranking No. 1 in New England in the 2023-24 season and making back-to-back appearances in the NEPSAC Elite 8 Tournament. Three Cushing student-athletes have earned Division I NCAA scholarships from the 2023-24 team, as well as an additional Division I appearance by an underclassman. Cushing has produced 18 NHL players and five U.S. Olympians.
The program has a number of NHL alumni, including current player Joey Daccord ('15), two-time Stanley Cup winner Connor Sheary ('10); They join a long line of Cushings, including Zach Bogosian ('08). Long-time Penguins, including three-time All-Star Keith Yandle (2005).
