Quick Facts
Biography
Brendan Burke (born July 8, 1984) is an American sportscaster for Fox Sports, the New York Islanders, and formerly the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League.
Early life
Burke was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while his father, Don, (sportswriter) covered the then-IHL Milwaukee Admirals, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. In 1990, Burke moved to Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and later attended Paramus Catholic High School.
Broadcasting career
Burke's broadcasting career began during his undergraduate tenure at Ithaca College, where he served as the sports director for both of the campus radio stations. Following graduation, he broadcast minor league baseball for the Batavia Muckdogs (NYPL)and the Lakewood BlueClaws (SAL) (. At 22 , he was hired by the Wheeling Nailers and became the youngest broadcaster in the ECHL. During his time with Nailers, he was honored as the 2008 ECHL Broadcaster of the Year, and was selected to broadcast the 2008 ECHL All-Star Game.
Burke spent five seasons as the voice of the American Hockey League's Peoria Rivermen, who were purchased by the NHL's Vancouver Canucks and moved to Utica in 2013. During the 2011-12 NHL season, he filled in for select games as the play-by-play broadcaster for the NHL's St. Louis Blues on KMOX radio. In July 2013, he was hired by the Utica Comets as the play-by-play broadcaster and head of public relations.
Since 2012, Burke has called the outdoor high school games as part of Hockey Day Minnesota for Fox Sports North. Burke handles play-by-play for college football broadcasts on Fox Sports Net along with analyst Ben Leber. He has also called college hockey for the Big Ten Network.
Burke was named to the "Top 30 Sportscasters Under 30" list released in 2014 by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.
On July 30, 2015 he received the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for the 2014-15 season. The award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding media coverage of the American Hockey League.
On August 11, 2016, Brendan was named as play by play announcer for the New York Islanders, replacing Howie Rose who stepped down earlier that year.