George Burnett: A hockey life


By
August 14, 2016

This is a man who has been a part of the Ontario Hockey League for almost half his life — a former standout player who has gained further respect as a coach and general manager.

To be sure, it would be difficult to find someone more experienced and up-to-date in what the OHL is all about than 54-year old George Burnett.

Burnett’s association with the OHL started in 1979 when he began a three-year playing career with the London Knights. He ended up totaling 199 career points in London as a strong, two-way centre.

Following his productive career with the OHL Knights, Burnett moved on to play Canadian Interuniversity Sport hockey at Montreal’s McGill University.

Burnett became the first McGill hockey player ever to earn All-Canadian honors, accomplishing the feat as a freshman in 1982-1983, when he established the Redmen single-season points record — a 21-60-81 mark in 38 games. His 60-assist campaign still stands as a school record. In addition, he was the nation’s CIS scoring champion in 1983.

Burnett studied education at McGill and taught physical education at his high school in Port Perry, Ont., for two years before turning to coaching. He began coaching full time at Seneca College in 1988 and returned to the OHL in 1989 as an assistant coach with the Oshawa Generals, one of five OHL teams that he’s coached over 20 seasons.

Now, after a 12-season run with the Belleville Bulls/Hamilton Bulldogs franchise, Burnett — who has also been a head coach and an assistant coach in the National Hockey League — will devote his full attention to his new job as general manager of the OHL’s Flint Firebirds.

In 19 of his 20 years in the OHL, Burnett held the dual role of coach-GM. The only exception, in 1997-1998, Burnett coached the Guelph Storm to the OHL championship and a runner-up showing in the Memorial Cup.

“People tell me that I will miss coaching,” Burnett said. “I’m sure after 30 years, I will miss many aspects of it, but I believe this opportunity at this time, is the right fit. I’m excited to tackle the challenges ahead in this new role. I will have more opportunities to be involved in the scouting and recruiting process to help build this program. I have the utmost confidence in Ryan’s (Oulahen) ability to lead our coaching staff and look forward to supporting them in any way possible. It will be a great opportunity for me to work closely with Joe Stefan, Dave McParlan and our scouting staff, all of whom bring tremendous success and experience to our program.”

Burnett, who signed a three-year contract in May, is encouraged by the way the off-season has transpired for the Firebirds.

Despite a tumultuous inaugural season, they received commitments from all three of their top draft picks — first-rounder Ty Dellandrea, and second-rounders Hunter Holmes and Dennis Busby.

“We provided a very clear message at our orientation camp to all new prospective families and players,” Burnett said. “Our program will be based on good structure and accountability, both on and off the ice.

“Our group has been built under unique circumstances and I know that we all take the responsibility very seriously. We want the Flint Firebirds to be an organization that is respected and a program that players and families want to be part of,” added Burnett.

“We understand clearly that there is work to be done. Providing perspective families and players with the necessary information allows them to make an informed decision about our program. We will continue to work hard to ensure that everyone will be provided a safe environment to develop, not only as hockey players, but as students and young men. People are buying in and committing, we are heading in the right direction.”

In 20 seasons as an OHL head coach, Burnett ranks fifth in OHL victories, posting a 636-560-51-85 record.

The only other OHL coaches with more wins are Brian Kilrea (1,193), Bert Templeton (907), Larry Mavety (658) and Stan Buter (648).

“We are all very fortunate to work in the OHL, it is a great league,” Burnett said. “I’m sincere and appreciative for all the opportunities that I have had. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us (in Flint) but we won’t be outworked. Every indication that I’ve seen from the group of people that has been put together here has been reassuring.”

Based on his many experiences in the OHL, Burnett believes patience is crucial to building a championship-caliber program.

There is little doubt that the Firebirds are in good hands with Burnett et al.

— Written by Bill Khan with files from HockeyNewsNorth.com.


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