Tyler Burke was an offensive threat for the Grand Forks Border Bruins en route to their first ever Teck Cup championship. He played a key part in the Border Bruins having one of the best playoff runs in the history of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), going 16-1.
The Vernon native had 10 points in the finals, including three assists in a Game 4 5-2 win over the Revelstoke Grizzlies, and finished the KIJHL Teck Cup championship with 13 goals and 27 points in 17 games. He had four game-winners and 11 power-play points. Opponents only kept him off the scoresheet in three games.
“I’m beyond grateful. We won the championship, that is the biggest thing for me,” said Burke during their victory celebration on what it meant to be named playoff MVP. “It feels great, surreal. I’m still soaking it all in. It’s cool and all, but in the end, the championship is what it’s all about.”
Burke spent four seasons in the KIJHL and appeared in the playoffs three times, first with the Sicamous Eagles in 2022-23. The last two playoff runs with the Border Bruins. In 39 career games, the 6-0, 180-pound forward had 17 goals and 40 points.
Border Bruins head coach-general manager Dave Hnatiuk praised the performance of the 20-year-old.
“He was a special guy all year. He puts up a lot of points – scored a ton of goals in the playoffs,” said Hnatiuk. “That line (with Levi Astill and Brandon Gray) was a threat all year long. A great job by Burkie.”
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