Media Guide - NHL.com

HOCKEY CLuB PERSONNELVICE PRESIDENTHOCKEY ADMINISTRATION & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERMichaelHOLDITCHThe 2008-09 season marks Michael’s sixth season in the role of Vice Presidentof Hockey Administration and Chief Financial Officer. In this role Michael worksclosely with General Manager Darryl Sutter and Director of Hockey AdministrationMike Burke on the direction of all hockey operations including CBA interpretation,team development, administration and tracking of the player budget, playernegotiations, arbitration, scheduling and contract review and documentation.Michael joined the Flames organization in 1994. Prior to moving to the hockeyoperations group, the 42 year-old Holditch was the Vice President of Financeand Chief Financial Officer for the organization and the Governor of the WesternHockey League’s Calgary Hitmen for five years through the 2002-2003 season.Michael also serves as the Treasurer of the Flames Foundation, the charity that isresponsible for many of the organization’s charitable initiatives.Michael is a native Calgarian who attended the University of Calgary, graduatingwith a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1988. Upon completion of his degree healso qualified for and practiced as a Chartered Accountant in Calgary. Michaeland his wife Cara have two daughters Brynn (3) and celebrated the birth of CadeDIRECTOR, PLAYER PERSONNELDuaneSUTTERDuane joins the Flames following 11 seasons with the Florida Panthers. Theprevious five years he held the position of Director of Player Development but hasalso worked in other capacities with the Panthers including Head Coach, AssistantCoach and Pro Scout.Duane played on four consecutive Stanley Cup winners with the New YorkIslanders during his 11-year playing career, spending eight seasons with theIslanders and three with the Chicago Blackhawks, before retiring after the 1989-90campaign. Sutter appeared in 731 NHL games, recording 139 goals, 342 pointsand 1,333 penalty minutes. After completing his playing career, he spent twoseasons as a scout for the Blackhawks, before taking over as Head Coach of theteam's IHL affiliate in Indianapolis for three years.One of six brothers to have played in the NHL (Brent, Brian, Darryl, Rich and Ron)and one of four (Brent, Brian, Darryl) to become an NHL head coach, Sutter was afirst-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 1979 (17th overall). A native ofViking, AB, Sutter and his wife, Cindy, have three children, daughters Darby andKassie and son Brody.DIRECTOR, HOCKEY ADMINISTRATIONMikeBURKEThe 2008-09 NHL season represents Mike Burke’s 26th year with the CalgaryFlames. Since the start of the 1994-95 campaign, when Burke movedto the hockey department and was promoted to his current position, hehas been responsible for the administration of the hockey club. He worksclosely with General Manager Darryl Sutter and Vice President of HockeyAdministration/CFO Michael Holditch in managing many facets of the Flameshockey operations.Burke’s vast experience in hockey-related issues has made him a valuable partof the hockey staff. His main responsibilities include contract research, analysisand negotiation, player assignments, preparation of salary arbitrations, liaisonbetween the NHL and the Flames regarding all aspects of hockey administration,monitoring collective bargaining issues and helping coordinate the day-to-dayoperations of the Club.Prior to his current appointment, the 49-year-old Burke was responsible for theClub’s media relations and communications. Many of the initiatives developed bythe organization through the years have become implemented within the National Hockey League.A graduate of the Public Relations program at Mount Royal College, Burke began his sports administrationcareer with the Saskatoon Blades (WHL) in 1980 before serving two seasons as General Manager of a minor-proteam in the Montreal Expos’ organization. He has often worked with the NHL in both NHL All-Star Games andNHL Stanley Cup Final events. In 1996, Burke was added as a member of Team Canada’s hockey operation stafffor the World Cup of Hockey tournament.A native of Plato, Saskatchewan, Burke and his wife Sandra have two children Keaton (14) and Reid (10).14 CALGARY FLAMES