Tyler Burke made sure he was ready for his opportunity with the Vermont State University Castleton Spartans men’s hockey team.
A focus on getting bigger and stronger has paid off as the KIJHL alum has opened his National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 3 career with six goals and 10 points in 11 games. He currently sits third on the Spartans in team scoring.
“My first game I was definitely getting a feel for it, but after that I was able to get back to playing my game,” Burke said. “What made the adjustment easier was the culture that was brought to the rink from the start. I wanted to make a good first impression as someone people want to be around and who brings positive energy. For the first half of the season, I feel like I still have another gear to bring, but I’m making sure I show up ready to work and do whatever it takes for the team.”
Last week, the Vernon native was named the Little East Conference Rookie of the Week for the period ending Dec.7. Burke led his team to a 3-2 overtime win over Saint Michael’s College scoring the Spartans’ two regulation tallies. On Dec.10 against Skidmore College, Burke scored the game-winner in a 5-3 final.
Burke broke into the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League with the North Okanagan Knights during the 2021-22 season, recording 31 points in 42 games as a 17-year-old. Burke says he feels lucky to have received the opportunity to play at that age and grow.
“Coming into the league and switching from being a defenceman to a forward in my first year I was able to keep adapting. I was able to keep building my all-around play as a forward,” he says. “I definitely started to build good habits on- and off-the-ice through time in the league. I got to finish with being a part of something really special – a good idea on what it takes to have a winning culture.”
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound forward also suited up for the Sicamous Eagles and finished his KIJHL career with the Grand Forks Border Bruins, helping the organization have a historic season by capturing its first regular-season title, a KIJHL championship and the Mowat Cup as B.C. provincial champions.
