Burke the brawler

[Cat Smasher]

Brian Burke is a proponent of fighting in the NHL, even though he came through the U.S. college system which shies away from fisticuffs.

Nonetheless, Burke managed to drop the gloves a time or two, mainly in summer hockey leagues.

But there was one notable scrap while he was playing for the Providence College Friars during the 1974-75 season.

"Yes, just one," the Maple Leafs general manager said over the phone.

"I got kicked out of that (game) and the next one." How did a college guy get involved in a fight?

"Paul Holmgren challenged our bench and I jumped over the boards and fought him," Burke said.

"Maybe not the smartest decision I have ever made."

Holmgren, now the general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, played for the University of Minnesota that season.

A notable tough guy, Holmgren -- not your prototypical college player -- went on to play 527 NHL games, mainly with the Flyers, accumulating 1,684 penalty minutes.

"Judges will say Holmgren won," Burke said.

"I tell people I got a draw, but that may be stretching it a bit."

LINK

[hockeybooks]

i've seen a bloodied burke wearing a maine jersey , but only a pic, not a clip