By CHRIS STEVENSON, QMI Agency

There will be a day, a historic day, when there will be an openly gay player in the National Hockey League.

A big part of that day will belong to Brendan Burke.

Fifteen months ago, the 20-year-old student-manager of the Miami University (Ohio) hockey team publicly declared his homosexuality, supported and embraced by his family, which includes dad Brian, the president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and his team.

A year ago Saturday, after just a couple of months of living in a new world unburdened by his secret, Brendan Burke died in a car crash on a snowy highway in Indiana.

It's hard to imagine the courage it took for a 20-year-old kid in the macho world of hockey to go public with the secret, to be at the leading edge in declaring his sexuality in an unfriendly culture.

What would be the reaction amongst the league, players and fans to gay players in the NHL? Have your say in our forum.

Burke's legacy opens door to gay players

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26 Comments

If a player has the talent to play for the NHL what does it matter if he's gay or not? I Don't have a problem what so ever!
tbui, 2011-02-04 13:44:53

Why would anyone care if some player were gay? Sports is a perfomance based event. Either you can perform at the required level or not. You sexual preference has nothing to do with playing the game or with interacting and getting along with you teammates. Honestly being gay or not is so unimportant
John, 2011-02-04 13:30:49

Soon, prejudice against homosexuals will be as unacceptable as racism. The first ones to come out will face problems like the first black players, but they will be accepted and supported by their team mates.
Thinking Mom, 2011-02-04 13:28:22

if he can go to the net and score goals I will cheer for him in a leaf uniform tomorrow
dave, 2011-02-04 12:15:08

I agree.....who cares.
jr, 2011-02-04 12:01:04

It wouldn't bother me one iota if gay athletes decided to "come out." Why should it?
Pragmatic, 2011-02-04 11:51:49

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