Back at the beginning of the month, Justin Bourne (a former minor leaguer, now hockey blogger and writer/columnist for USA Today) wrote a piece about homophobia and gay slurs in hockey.  He stated that “It’s time to acknowledge we’ve been unfair to the gay community, that the culture of our sport can be misogynistic, homophobic and cruel. More important, it’s time to make a stand that we want it to change.”

Bourne added that, “Whoever the pioneer is will have to know what he’s in for – he’ll have to be a strong man, possibly in the literal sense.”

And maybe that pioneer will be Brendan Burke, son of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke.

John Buccigross of ESPN wrote a fantastic profile today about Brendan and his story of coming out to his family, the Miami RedHawks, and to his father.

I wish this burden would fall on someone else’s shoulders, not Brendan’s. Pioneers are often misunderstood and mistrusted. But since he wishes to blaze this trail, I stand beside him with an axe! I simply could not be more proud of Brendan than I am, and I love him as much as I admire him.” — Brian Burke

I know Bucci has ruffled the feathers of some Wings fans recently, but put that aside for a minute and just read this.

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