Most of you have probably heard that Brendan Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke was killed in a car accident yesterday.  Hearing about anyone losing a child is sad, but I think most hockey fans feel a connection to those who they follow with their team, and this hits home in the way much of this news does not.  It also makes you realize that while we might consider a hockey game to be a matter of great importance, at the end of the day its just a game.

Burke was in the news earlier this season, when he came out in a column written by ESPN’s John Buccigross. This was spurred in part by a column by Justin Bourne in USA Today who wrote about the use of gay slurs in sports.  Bourne posted about Burke’s death on his blog this morning.

There was a moment of silence for Brendan before the Leafs / Senators game tonight, and it was as quiet in the ACC as I have ever heard it.

Rest in peace, Brendan.  My condolences to his family and friends.