Port Perry’s George Burnett is still proud of his small-town roots

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: George Burnett has spent more than three decades shaping Canadian junior hockey, but his journey began right here in Port Perry.

As a boy, Mr. Burnett spent countless hours at the local rink before moving on to the London Knights, where he played between 1979 and 1982 and averaged nearly a point per game. He then excelled at McGill University, becoming the first player in program history to earn CIS All-Canadian honours. His 1982–83 season remains legendary: 81 points in 38 games, a national scoring title, and a degree in physical education.

After university, Mr. Burnett returned to Port Perry to teach, a role which helped him develop skills that would serve him as a coach. “Teaching and coaching really go hand in hand,” he has said. “In both cases, it’s about helping young people believe in themselves and push beyond what they think they can achieve.”

Burnett began his coaching career with the Uxbridge Bruins before moving on to his hometown Port Perry MoJacks. Many of his players were students he taught during the day. “It was a unique experience,” he recalled. “One day I’d be marking their essays, the next night I’d be talking to them about forechecking and backchecking.”

That combination of teaching and coaching helped Mr. Burnett lead the MoJacks to the 1988 Clarence Schmalz Cup championship series. Former captain Darren Nesbitt remembers Mr. Burnett’s influence: “George made us feel like we were part of something bigger. He brought a professional approach to a small-town team.”

From there, Mr. Burnett’s career expanded quickly. He entered the OHL with Oshawa and Niagara Falls, winning Coach of the Year honours in 1991, then moved to the professional ranks with the Cape Breton Oilers, winning the 1993 Calder Cup. He also spent time in the NHL as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers and as an assistant with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Still, his most lasting impact has been in the OHL. He has coached or managed teams in Oshawa, Niagara Falls, Guelph, Belleville, Hamilton, and Flint, capturing league championships with the Guelph Storm in 1998 and 2019. With more than 738 career wins, he ranks among the OHL’s all-time leaders.

Mr. Burnett has also represented Canada internationally, winning gold with the U18 team and helping World Junior squads to silver and bronze medals. Since 2017, he has served as general manager of the Guelph Storm, developing young players while guiding the team through the challenges of modern junior hockey.

Despite his accomplishments, Mr. Burnett never forgets his Port Perry roots. He regularly returns for community events and is often sought out by young coaches for advice. “I’ll always be proud of where I came from,” he said. “The lessons I learned in those rinks in Uxbridge and especially in Port Perry are still with me every day.”

From teacher and MoJacks coach to OHL champion and respected general manager, George Burnett’s story is a reminder that small-town beginnings can lead to national success.