Phoenix Coyotes goalie Mike Smith makes a save against the Chicago Blackhawks without his stick during Game 6 of their NHL Western Conference quarter-final playoff hockey game in Chicago, Illinois April 23, 2012.Reuters
The Phoenix Coyotes have promoted Sean Burke to assistant to the general manager and signed him to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.
Burke will work with Coyotes general manager Don Maloney, assistant GM Brad Treliving and director of hockey administration Chris O'Hearn in all areas of hockey operations. He will also retain his duties as goaltender coach and director of player development.
"We are very pleased to sign Sean to a contract extension," Maloney said in a statement. "For the past three years, Sean has done a tremendous job working with all the goaltenders in our organization helping them improve and succeed on the ice. We look forward to him continuing in this role and also assisting our hockey operations department in all areas of the business."
Last season, Burke helped Coyotes netminder Mike Smith reach career highs in games played (67), wins (38), goals-against average (2.21), save percentage (.930) and shutouts (eight). Smith ranked fourth in the NHL in wins, tied for third in save percentage, tied for third in shutouts and ranked ninth in goals-against.
In the post-season, Smith ranked tied for first in shutouts (three), third in save percentage (.944), fourth in wins (9) and seventh in GAA (1.99).
In 2010-11, Burke helped Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov become the first Coyotes goaltender to record consecutive 30-plus win seasons (36 and 42) since Nikolai Khabibulin (1996-99).
Burke, a former NHL goaltender, spent parts of five seasons with the Coyotes from 1999-2004 during his 18-year career.
In 820 career NHL games with New Jersey, Hartford/Carolina, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Florida, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Phoenix, Burke collected a record of 324-341-101-9 with a 2.96 GAA and a .902 save percentage. He was a three-time NHL all-star and represented Canada at the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.