Ex-Hawks GM tapped to lead Ducks

Brian Burke stepped down as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks and was replaced by Bob Murray, who held the same position with the Chicago Blackhawks from 1997-99 and has been in the Ducks' front office the past three seasons.

The Ducks decided to make the transition after Burke, 53, declined a contract extension last week to spend more time with his family.

Burke has been named a special consultant to Chief Executive Officer Michael Schulman, the National Hockey League team said in a news release.

``Brian and I have been discussing his future with the Ducks for some time,'' Schulman said. ``Once he decided last week not to extend his contract, I decided Bob was the obvious successor and Brian agreed.''

Murray, a former player for the Blackhawks who has worked in the NHL for the past 33 years, has been the Ducks' senior vice president of hockey operations since July 2005.

Anaheim qualified for the playoffs in each of the past three seasons with Burke as their GM. The Ducks won their first Stanley Cup in 2007, beating Ottawa in five games. Burke is also the GM of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team.

``This was the hardest decision I've ever had to make,'' Burke said.