His duties are varied. Burke is in charge of disciplining players on questionable hits and handing out suspensions after reviewing the video tapes. He is also the NHL�s director of officiating and is the person at the league office who mulls over proposed rule changes. As if disciplining players for bad hits and unsportsmanlike behavior isn�t enough of a challenge, Burke�s job also includes acting as the main liaison between the NHL and its general managers. It�s quite a challenge, but one that Burke handles with ease.

In general, Burke has received positive reviews all around. And while some might grumble over the suspensions handed out, Burke�s decisions are usually considered fair. He�s a man who isn�t afraid to stand by his opinion and perhaps that�s why he has garnered respect throughout the league.

Burke, 41, is a native of Providence, Rhode Island. He grew up in Minnesota and returned to RI to play college puck for Providence College and played professionally for the Maine Mariners (AHL).

Hockey Player recently caught up with Burke as the season headed into the mad dash for playoff positions. Here�s a look at what he had to say on the latest goings on in the National Hockey league as the season headed into its final weeks.

As head of officiating, what do you see as the biggest problem facing the NHL right now?

We have teams that think whenever they lose, the officiating cost them the game. That is absurd. When we ourselves, and independent people, assess the officiating in the NHL it rates very highly. Teams that lose tend to point a finger at the official rather than shouldering the blame for having the wrong people on the ice or for their players not showing up. Frankly, a lot of it we find very annoying. It�s embarrassing for the league for no reason because our officials do an excellent job overall. I guess I�m in the minority because when I was a manager and my team lost, I usually figured we got beat.

What are you going to do to try to change that?

Complaining about officiating is as old as sports. I think we�re stuck with it. It would really help us if the media were more educated about officiating. I think the media coverage contributes to the fan�s view of officiating. If a television broadcaster would see a penalty and say �that�s a good call� once in a while, that�d be nice. That doesn�t happen very often, mostly you hear negative remarks on the officiating.

I think we�re stuck with dissatisfaction about officiating. I think we�re stuck with it, so what we�re trying to limit is the public criticism. We just wish the media would acknowledge when a guy does a good job. You never read that a game was entertaining and well-officiated. You never read that, you only read that they think the official did a poor job.

Do you like your job? How difficult is it to be the person in charge of officiating?

Yes, I have a great job. Our officials are a really good bunch of guys, they do a good job. The criticism is just a part of the job, just like discipline.

How hard is it for the guys? Officiating seems like a tough job. Hockey is much more difficult to officiate than any other sport.

It�s really hard to do. Even if the building were empty and all the players were mutes, it�d still be really hard. Officiating in the NHL is the most difficult officiating task in pro sports because the speed of the players and the amount of contact. It�s not only permitted, but encouraged in our game. The difference between a highlight film check and a minor penalty can be a fraction of an inch. And, the difference between a minor penalty and a major penalty can be another fraction. The officials get one look at it, at ice level and at game speed with no replays. The officials have to make these incredibly difficult calls and they have to be great skaters to keep up.

What about the level of fighting in the league? Would you like to see more or less?

I think it�s at an acceptable level right now. I certainly wouldn�t want to see more of it, but I don�t think it�s a problem.

How do you respond to people who say, �Why does there have to be fighting in hockey?�

Look at the way hockey is played in leagues where there is no fighting. The stick work, the hits from behind and the elbows are just incredible. The viciousness and the violence of the game in those leagues is far greater than ours.

Have the increased boarding calls helped eliminate some of the more questionable hits?