Stefen Rosner on Morning Cuppa Hockey Talking Islanders On Monday, New York Islanders [https://www.theelmonters.com/] general manager Lou Lamoriello [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/lou-lamoriello-anthony-duclair-matt-martin-rules-policies-new-york-islanders-maple-leafs-devils] and current Executive Director of the Professional Women's Hockey League Players Association Brian Burke discussed their relationship on NHL Network Radio. Burke, a native of Edina Minneosta -- that's the same home town as Islanders captain Anders Lee -- was a collegiate hockey player from 1973-1997, lacing the skates up for Providence College. Guess who his coach was? "I don't know if people know, but Brian played four years for me in college," Lamoriello said. "He was hard-nosed, the same way he is today. He competed every night." While turning pro was Burke's goal, he also decided to apply to Harvard Law School. But, it wasn't a decision he made all by himself. "The reason I went to Law School was because of Lou Lamoriello. He talked me into going. He insisted that I go," Burke said. "I went to Harvard Law School all because of him. Changed my life. Lamoriello had a funny story to share. "Here's a great story about Brian. He was not a prolific scorer. But the night that he got accepted into Harvard Law School, he got a hat trick against New Hampshire," Lamoriello said. "They were ranked No. 2 in the country, and I got my only hat trick," Burke added before Lou jumped in and said, "He's got all three pucks, too." Burke went on to play in the AHL for two teams, the Springfield Indians and Maine Mariners and graduated with his Juris Doctor in 1981. And the rest is history, as he was a general manager of many NHL teams in the years to come, including working for Garry Bettman. We know the story about Lamoriello, who left Providence College and eventually became general manager of the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs before landing with the Islanders in 2018.
