MSG Hires Brendan Burke As Islanders' New TV Play-By-Play Man

NEW YORK (WFAN) -- The Islanders have found their new television play-by-play man.

Fair Lawn, New Jersey native Brendan Burke, who has been calling games on the radio for the Utica Comets of the AHL over the last three years, will step into the MSG booth this season, the network announced Thursday.

Burke replaces beloved Howie Rose, who had been calling Islanders games since 1995. Burke will team with Islanders legend Butch Goring to call all the action during 2016-17 season.

"It is an incredible honor to be joining MSG Networks and becoming part of the Islanders family," Burke said in a statement. "It's very humbling to think I am following in the footsteps of two of the all-time greats in Howie Rose and Jiggs McDonald. It has been a lifelong goal to be an NHL broadcaster and to come home to New York City, and to work for one of the NHL's iconic franchises, is an absolute dream come true."

Burke, 32, was the 2015 James H. Ellery award recipient, given for the AHL's "most outstanding media coverage." Since 2012, Burke has appeared on Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports 1, calling college football and basketball.

"We are excited that Brendan Burke, one of the top young broadcasters in the country, will join us as our new Islanders play-by-play commentator," said Andrea Greenberg, president and CEO of MSG Networks. "Brendan joins our exceptional production team, including on-air talent Butch Goring, Shannon Hogan, and Stan Fischler at the start of what promises to be another exciting Islanders season."

Burke does have NHL experience, having called some games on radio for the St. Louis Blues on KMOX between 2009 and 2012. Burke also handled play-by-play duties for the Peoria Rivermen, the Blues' AHL affiliate, from 2008-13.

Burke is a graduate of Paramus Catholic High School and a 2006 grad of Ithaca College.