NLL Teammate of the Year Nomination: Mike Burke
Jun 19, 2020
The term “locker room guy” is often thrown around in sports when describing the type of player that coaches and general managers want in their locker room. These players have the ability to lighten the mood in the room, and create an atmosphere that teammates want to be around.
Late night flights, hotels on the weekends and often long bus trips, Mike Burke has emerged as a true locker room guy.
One of the veterans of this young team, Mike has been in the league long enough to know that the group in the locker room is one of the most important components to creating a championship caliber team.
A product of the Brampton lacrosse system, Mike followed in the footsteps of his father, Bob, and grandfather, Michael. It was only natural for Mike to pick up a stick as he had a Canadian Hall of Fame dad playing catch with him throughout his childhood, and learning what it takes to be a great player on and off the floor.
As captain of the Brampton Excelsior’s Sr. A team, Burke’s leaderships qualities are never in question. Transitioning his leadership qualities to the professional realm has been instrumental to his success as he follows in the likes of guys such as Cody Jamieson and Scott Campbell.
“I am honoured to represent the Thunderbirds for teammate of the year,” said Burke. “We have a solid group of guys and I can’t wait to battle with them in the near future.”
In a shortened regular season Burke posted 31 points, on pace to break a career high (42 pts) set in 2019 with Rochester. In only 10 games played he finished the season third on the team in assists, eight of which coming on one of the league’s most efficient scoring power-play units.
Prior to signing in Rochester last season, Burke played three seasons in the NLL, posting 15 goals and 20 assists in 22 games. He spent his last two years with the Colorado Mammoth, where he collected 34 points from 2015-16. As a rookie, he appeared in two games with the Edmonton Rush and scored one goal during the 2013 campaign.
Being nominated as Teammate of the Year speaks highly of Burke’s character. Not just reliable on the floor, but reliable outside of the game is what makes this particular person a true asset to the Thunderbirds family.
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Fans can check in the with @NLL on all social platforms next week for the finalists in each category of the 2019-20 league awards. To learn more about the Thunderbirds nominations, check in daily @HFXthunderbirds, and at HalifaxThunderbirds.com.