By George Hurlbut

We caught up with Fernie Ghostrider forward Brendan Burge the other day at the Fernie Ghostriders conditioning camp and we asked him for his thoughts on the upcoming season. But first here’s a little background on Mr. Burge.

The Ghostriders acquired Brendan last November from the Revelstoke Grizzlies and by the time the season had ended Burge was the Ghostriders top scorer in both the regular season and in the playoffs.
This year Brendan is looking to be one of the four 20-year-olds the Riders are allowed and his vast junior experience could put him a leadership role with the team. Burge has played on three different Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) teams so far and has also played games at the Junior A level with Trail, Westside and Salmon Arm in the BCHL and with North Bay in the NOJHL. Brendan also has a Keystone Cup (Western Canadian Championship) ring from his time in Revelstoke.

GH –  So what have you been doing this summer?
Burge – “I had a great summer. For the first couple of months I worked long days with a landscaping crew then I switched over to APPS Cargo delivering freight in a five ton truck. I worked on my old man’s hobby farm as well where we raise sheep, pigs and over 200 birds. Beach volleyball was also a big hit for myself this summer.”
GH – You seem to be breezing through the conditioning camp, have you been working out?
Burge- “Yeah I spent lots of time trying to put on weight in order improve my role from just an offensive threat to more of a complete player competing hard from one end of the rink to the other.”

GH – You could have probably played with any KIJHL team if you wanted to so why did you choose to play in Fernie again?
Burge- “Fernie by far has been the best place and most supporting town I’ve ever played in; we get treated like pros and anything we need they make sure we get it. The organization is full of great people who make it such an amazing place to play and be part of.

GH – You seemed to have been one of the fan favorites last year.
Burge –  “The fans here in Fernie truly make the whole junior hockey experience unforgettable. They fill the building every night and are always so right into the game. And whenever there’s a slow night we can always count on the Aussies to liven the place up. We, without a doubt, have the best fans in the league.”

GH – How did it go staying with your billet family last season?
Burge-. “My billets are awesome, they treat you like a part of the family and make you feel right at home, I couldn’t ask for a better place to stay.”

GH – So I take it you’re excited for the season to start?
Burge – “I’m really excited to get things going again and hop into the coming season. Last year’s knock out in the conference finals left a lot of us with a bitter-sweet uneasy feeling and I can’t wait for another unforgettable season. I’m very excited to catch up with the guys from last year as well and there’s definitely a fire brewing inside waiting for that puck to drop.”

GH – You have gone through a few practices with new Rider coach Barry Wolff, how did that go?
Burge – “Well I’m very excited to play for Barry Wolff. Every coach has different ways they like to see the game played. I’ve been on the ice a few times with him so far and it seems to be a fast pace great style of hockey. I’m looking forward to learning and taking everything in stride as by the end of the season the goal is to be holding the trophy over our heads as champions.”

Above image from Rider News

Article Share