Brian Burke has rapidly become one of the most stand-up guys in hockey, after his unqualified support for his out-of-the-closet son Brendan and his own anti-bullying campaign in Brendan's memory. He wasn't always so cuddly—in a great interview with The Score, Burke relates how he nearly came to blows with Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe. Of all things, it was over Dustin Penner.
So I call Glen Sather and I say, look, this guy went on the radio and challenged me to a fight. I'm gonna be in Lake Placid at the US Junior Camp. I gave him three dates. I told him I'd rent a barn and I picked the address and the time and I'd fight Kevin Lowe.
Dead serious. It got to the point where Gary Bettman called me and said "I heard you guys were thinking about having a fight and if you do, I'm going to suspend you both indefinitely."
On Anti-Bullying, and How Brian Burke's Son Helped Mend His Relationship With Kevin Lowe [Backhand Shelf]