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By MEL REISNER, AP Sports Writer
February 9, 2004
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The Philadelphia Flyers acquired three-time All-Star goalie Sean Burke and two forwards from the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday for promising young center Mike Comrie.

The deal, concluded at the NHL general managers meeting in Henderson, Nev., capped a busy day for Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke, who earlier traded defenseman Eric Weinrich to St. Louis for a fifth-round pick in the 2004 draft.

In addition to Burke, the Flyers acquired right wing Branko Radivojevic and the rights to left wing Ben Eager, an unsigned minor leaguer selected 23rd overall in the 2002 draft.

The Flyers were anxious to land Burke because they were down to rookie Antero Niittymaki in goal. Jeff Hackett retired Monday because of vertigo, and Robert Esche, once Burke's backup in Phoenix, is sidelined by a sprained knee.

"We obviously needed a goaltender,'' said Clarke, adding that Burke's friendship with Esche figured in his reasoning.

"We're extremely high on Esche. We wanted to make sure we got somebody who fits in.''

The Coyotes also answered a need. They are 0-4-1-1 in their last six games, and sorely in need of offense. Comrie had 133 points in 2 1/2 years with Edmonton.

"He has enjoyed success at a very young age in the NHL, and we look forward to watching how far his skills will take him,'' Coyotes GM Mike Barnett said.

The 37-year-old Burke is 10-15-5 this season with one shutout and a 2.81 goals-against average. He had a short stint with the Flyers late in the 1997-98 season, and also has played for New Jersey, Hartford-Carolina, Florida and Vancouver.

"Once you realize you've been traded, you get excited about going to another team and helping that team however you can,'' Burke said. "These last couple of days have been a little difficult, but now that it's officially happened, I'm ready to get there and start contributing.''

Comrie, 23, had only four goals and five assists in 21 games for the Flyers this season, but scored 33 and 20 goals in consecutive seasons for Edmonton before running into contract problems with the Oilers last summer.

He sat out the first two months of the season before the Oilers traded him to Philadelphia on Dec. 16. He signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Flyers.

A first- or second-line player with Edmonton, Comrie wound up on the Flyers' fourth line and had just two assists in his last 12 games with the team.

It was thought the 5-foot-9, 185-pound forward did better in the up-tempo style of the Western Conference, but Comrie said he had no preference.

"The West is a little more exciting,'' he told KDUS radio. "More chances are developed on the rush, whereas in the Eastern Conference the key is to stop the puck and work from behind the net. It's a bit of a different game, but you're on the ice, you're playing hockey, and it's not as big of a difference as everybody says.''

The New York Rangers appeared to be close to landing Burke last week, but Phoenix did not want any players with big contracts, and the Rangers didn't want to move forward Jamie Lundmark.

The Flyers emerged as the front-runner over the weekend, and Barnett and Clarke worked out the details Monday, including Hackett's retirement to make room for Burke's $4.25 million 2004-05 salary.

Burke spent the All-Star weekend with his family at a Flagstaff, Ariz., ski resort, preparing daughter Andie and son Brendan for the idea of moving during the school year.

"It's going to be difficult,'' he said. "We're going to be apart quite a while here and hopefully a long way into the playoffs, but they understand that's part of the game.''

Weinrich, a 16-year veteran, has two goals and seven assists in 54 games this season.

"I'm a little bit shocked, but I had a great time here,'' Weinrich said.

AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
Hackett retires, Esche out with leg injury, and Sean Burke comes back to Philly. They just acquired Comrie, so it'll be interesting to see what happens.
Gotta feel for Jeff Hackett, he was having a good season.
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