Leafs GM Brian Burke, with help from wife Jennifer Burke, serves roast beef at Tuesday night's MLSE fundraising dinner near High Park.
Liam Casey/Toronto StarLiam Casey Staff Reporter
Brian Burke reflected on his past three years as Maple Leaf general manager over a giant container of roast beef.
?I?m very proud to be here in Toronto, very grateful,? Burke said. ?I love this city.?
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment hired Burke three years ago Tuesday. The team hasn?t made the playoffs under his stewardship, but he appreciates fans? frustration.
?If you try and rebuild a team in a Canadian city and it doesn?t happen quickly ? it never does ? there?s a lot of frustration,? Burke said at a charity event for Maple Leaf Sports? Team Up Foundation, which refurbishes city-owned outdoor rinks, basketball courts and soccer pitches.
Burke and the rest of the Leafs served dinner to fans at Earth Bloor West, a restaurant near High Park. They were on target to bring in more than $200,000 from the night, according to Mike Bartlett, executive director of the charity.
The foundation will break ground shortly to refurbish Sunnydale Acres? outdoor rink and the team will practise there on Jan. 4.
Coach Ron Wilson served drinks behind the bar while Burke manned the meat table with netminder James Reimer, who wasn?t giving away nearly as much lamb as Burke was beef.
?I?m hoping to be back soon,? Reimer said, who?s recovering from concussion-like symptoms. ?Hopefully this weekend.?
Most Leafs, clad in white aprons with the team?s logo, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Captain Dion Phaneuf, without a date as actress Elisha Cuthbert was working on her latest show, slurped and served oysters.
Among the items being auctioned off was a day of shinny with former Leaf Wendel Clark and dinner with Darryl Sittler.
And for a starting bid of $350, fans could win a fantasy general manager experience with Burke, where you take in the morning skate, visit the dressing room, have lunch and then watch the game from Burke?s managerial box.
?If you don?t know how to swear,? Burke said with a straight face, ?you will after about one period.?
Source: http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1094626--burke-dishes-out-food-for-thought
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