USA Hockey announced on Monday that recent Canisius College
graduate Cole Burkhalter will serve
as the first-ever recipient of the Brendan Burke Internship. Burkhalter worked
closely with the Golden Griffin hockey staff during the 2009-10 season.
"Cole is a great young man who has done an outstanding job within
our hockey program," said Canisius head coach Dave Smith. "He has added a great deal to Canisius College and will
do the same within USA Hockey. He was a great selection to be the first-ever
recipient of a very great internship at USA Hockey."
During his tenure at Canisius, Burkhalter served as a hockey
operations intern, while completing his master's degree in sport
administration. His main responsibilities included breaking down game film and
organizing team travel. He also coached the eighth grade boys' varsity prep
hockey team at Nichols School.
Burkhalter's responsibilities at USA Hockey will vary from
working with national teams, international events and player development camps
to gaining experience with the American Development Model, National Team
Development Program and Coaching Education Program.
"We're excited to add Cole to our staff," said Assistant
Executive Director of USA Hockey Jim
Johannson. "He'll always have the distinction of being the first-ever
Brendan Burke Intern and I'm confident he'll do a great job and make the most
out of the opportunity."
Established earlier this year, the Brendan Burke Internship
is awarded annually to a recent college graduate who is pursuing a career in
hockey operations. The internship was founded in memory of the late Brendan
Burke, who served as a student assistant for Miami University and was the son
of Brian Burke, general manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team
and the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. Brendan Burke passed away in an automobile
accident on Feb. 5, 2010.
During the 2009-10 campaign, Burkhalter helped the Griffs to
one of their most successful seasons at the Division I level. Canisius won its
most games in nine years and advanced to the Atlantic Hockey Semifinals for the
first time since 2004.