| COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey today announced Cole Burkhalter (Knoxville, Tenn.) as the first-ever recipient of the Brendan Burke Internship. He will begin working in the hockey operations department at USA Hockey’s national office in Colorado Springs, Colo., in September. Established earlier this year, the Brendan Burke Internship is awarded annually to a recent college graduate who is pursuing a career in hockey operations. The internship was founded in memory of the late Brendan Burke, who served as a student assistant for the Miami University men’s ice hockey team and was the son of Brian Burke, general manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and the National Hockey League’s Toronto Maple Leafs. Brendan Burke passed away in an automobile accident on Feb. 5, 2010. “We’re excited to add Cole to our staff,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of USA Hockey. “He’ll always have the distinction of being the first-ever Brendan Burke Intern and I’m confident he’ll do a great job and make the most out of the opportunity.” Burkhalter’s responsibilities will vary from working with national teams, international events and player development camps to gaining experience with the American Development Model, National Team Development Program and Coaching Education Program. Burkhalter served as a hockey operations intern for the Canisius College NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey team during the 2009-10 season, while completing his master’s degree in sport administration. His main responsibilities included breaking down game film and organizing team travel. He also coached the eighth grade boys’ varsity prep hockey team at Nichols School (N.Y.) in 2009-10. Previously, Burkhalter spent five years teaching kids at all levels as a coach with the Knoxville (Tenn.) Amateur Hockey Asociation, including while he pursued his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee (2006-08). In addition, he served as an instructor for the Knoxville Ice Bears (Southern Professional Hockey League) Youth Hockey School from 2006-09. Burkhalter’s coaching career began in 2004 at the age of 18, just one year after being sidelined from playing as a result of being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. He is currently a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach and is awaiting approval on his completed Level 5 certification. For more information on the Brendan Burke Internship, visit BrendanBurkeInternship.com. | 
