Komet Great Jim Burton Passes
January 6, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release
Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets learned Tuesday that former Komet defenseman Jim Burton passed away early Tuesday morning. Burton, 53, made his home in Evans, Georgia where he worked at Jones Creek Golf Club and helped his wife Sandy operate a flower business.
Burton was a member of the Komets during parts of seven seasons in the 1980's. The Brantford, Ontario native was a four-time IHL First-Team All-Star and won the International Hockey League's Governor's Trophy as the most outstanding defenseman of the year three times during his career with the Komets.
"I had the privilege to watch Jimmy from a fan's perspective during the era he played for the team," Komets general manager David Franke said. "He was an offensive threat every time he touched the puck. Jimmy was a truly great Komet! It is a very sad day in Komet land with his passing."
Burton scored 117 goals, 436 assists and 543 points in 545 games as a Komets defenseman. Burton, a two-time Komet MVP, ranks seventh in assists and 12th in points all time during the Komets 63-year history.
"If you would have lived here during the time Jimmy was here you would have thought he was one of the best players ever to have put on a Komet uniform," Komets president Michael Franke said.
Upon retiring as a player, Burton went on to coach in the Western Professional Hockey League and the ECHL.
Burton is survived by his wife, Sandy and sons Kelby and Ryan. Services pending.
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