Cal Burke Bio
Callahan “Cal” Michael Burke (born March 24, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL). A versatile skater capable of playing both center and wing, he has spent time in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, and Vegas Golden Knights. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 183 pounds, Burke is recognized for his two-way game, work ethic, and quiet leadership on and off the ice.
Early Life and Background
Cal Burke was born on March 24, 1997, in Boxborough, Massachusetts, and raised in a supportive family that nurtured his interest in sports from a young age. He is the son of Sharon and Garrett Burke, and his father played collegiately for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell from 1988 to 1990. Burke grew up alongside two younger brothers, Cam and C.J., with Cam also pursuing hockey at the collegiate level and later playing for the Fighting Irish before transferring to Boston College.
Burke originally attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before later attending the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts, a well-known prep program that has produced several Division I and professional players. With Noble and Greenough, he played three seasons from 2011 to 2014, serving as team captain during the 2013-14 campaign and finishing his prep career with 89 points in 83 games. He then enrolled at the University of Notre Dame, where he majored in Business Analytics and developed into a steady, two-way forward over four seasons with the Fighting Irish.
Path to Hockey
Burke was selected 50th overall by the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the United States Hockey League (USHL) 2013 Futures Draft. After completing his prep career, he joined the RoughRiders and appeared in five games to close out the 2013-14 season. The following year, in his first full USHL campaign, he produced 20 goals and 40 points in 60 games and emerged as one of the league’s promising young scorers.
He returned to Cedar Rapids for the 2015-16 season, was named team captain, and placed fourth on the club in scoring with 39 points in 56 games. His play in the USHL earned him a commitment to the University of Notre Dame, where he joined the Fighting Irish program and quickly became part of their developing forward group. This progression from prep school to junior hockey to a top collegiate program set the foundation for his transition to professional hockey.
Cal Burke Career
Early Career (2020-2022)
As an undrafted free agent, Burke signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, the primary affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, on March 18, 2020. After the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the start of the 2020-21 season, he made his professional debut on February 13, 2021, registering an assist in a 3-2 loss to the San Diego Gulls. He later scored his first professional goal against the Bakersfield Condors on April 13, 2021, and finished his rookie year with 2 goals and 9 points in 33 regular-season games, adding an assist in two playoff contests.
Burke signed a one-year extension with the Eagles on June 17, 2021, and broke out offensively during the 2021-22 campaign, posting 26 points in 57 games. His early-season surge earned him a one-year NHL contract with the Colorado Avalanche on December 16, 2021, though he remained assigned to the Eagles to continue his development as a reliable two-way forward.
NHL Breakthrough (2022-2023)
On July 20, 2022, Burke signed a one-year, two-way extension with the Stanley Cup champion Avalanche and again began the season in the AHL. He collected 11 points in his first 21 games with the Eagles before receiving his first NHL recall on December 6, 2022. The following night, he made his NHL debut with the injury-depleted Avalanche, skating on the fourth line in a 4-0 shutout loss to his boyhood club, the Boston Bruins.
Vegas Golden Knights Era (2024-2025)
Burke signed a one-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on July 2, 2024, after spending the prior season in the Avalanche and Hurricanes organizations. He made his Vegas debut on November 20, 2024, playing just under ten minutes in a 3-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Three days later, on November 23, he recorded his first career NHL goal against Sam Montembeault in a 6-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, a milestone moment for the forward.
San Diego Gulls Era (2025-Present)
After becoming a free agent in the summer of 2025, Burke accepted a professional tryout with the Pittsburgh Penguins on September 17, 2025. He was reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ AHL training camp on September 29 and released from his tryout on October 5. The very next day, on October 6, Burke signed a one-year AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls, the top affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, where he continues his professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burke is best known as a dependable two-way forward who can play both center and wing. Coaches have praised his hockey IQ, faceoff reliability, and willingness to play in all situations, from penalty killing to energy-line matchups. His skating, compete level, and team-first mentality have allowed him to move between the AHL and NHL while remaining a steady contributor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Burke’s career is highlighted by his first NHL goal with the Vegas Golden Knights on November 23, 2024, his college hat-trick against Wisconsin on December 9, 2017, and his NHL debut against the Boston Bruins on December 7, 2022. He also represented Notre Dame in back-to-back Frozen Four appearances and won consecutive Big Ten Championships with the Fighting Irish.
Cal Burke Career Wins
Throughout his amateur and professional career, Cal Burke has accumulated notable individual and team accomplishments rather than single-event victories, with his impact best measured through consistent point production and leadership roles.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Highlights
During his four seasons at Notre Dame, Burke tallied 82 points in 150 games and served as team captain in his senior year. He helped the Fighting Irish win consecutive Big Ten Championships, reach two Frozen Fours, and appeared in the 2018 National Championship game. His leadership earned him the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in both 2019 and 2020, along with a selection to the Lowes Senior Class All-American First Team.
Other Wins and Performances
With the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, Burke was a team captain and a top-five scorer in 2015-16, finishing with 39 points in 56 games. He also posted a 20-goal, 40-point season in 2014-15, establishing himself as one of the USHL’s most reliable young forwards during his draft-eligible year.
Cal Burke Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cal Burke comes from a sports-minded family with deep roots in American hockey. His father, Garrett Burke, played college hockey at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell from 1988 to 1990, giving Cal an early and direct connection to the game. His mother, Sharon Burke, has been a steady presence throughout his career.
Personal Life
Burke has two younger brothers, Cam and C.J., who have been closely involved in his athletic journey. Cam Burke also played collegiate hockey at Notre Dame before transferring to Boston College for the 2022-23 season, continuing the family’s presence at top NCAA programs. Burke majored in Business Analytics at Notre Dame and continues to focus on his hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a transitional one for Cal Burke, beginning with an NHL stint in Vegas and ending with a return to the AHL. After recording his first NHL goal in November 2024, he spent the remainder of the 2024-25 season with the Golden Knights organization before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
In September 2025, Burke accepted a professional tryout with the Pittsburgh Penguins, joining the club for training camp and the preseason. When a full NHL deal did not materialize, he was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and later released from his tryout on October 5. The very next day, he signed a one-year AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls, giving him a stable landing spot and a clear opportunity to contribute.
Now aligned with the Anaheim Ducks organization, Burke is expected to serve as a veteran presence on the Gulls’ roster and a potential call-up option. With a contract running through 2026-27, he has both short-term stability and a long-term runway to continue pursuing NHL opportunities while mentoring younger players in San Diego.