Rafael Fichandler, a 2022 graduate of Hall High School in West Hartford, Connecticut, has been selected for the 16th annual Brendan Burke Internship with USA Hockey, a 10‑month placement based in Plymouth, Michigan.
A Legacy of Service
The internship, established in memory of Brendan Burke, a student manager at Miami University of Ohio who championed LGBTQ inclusion in sports, celebrates his commitment to diversity and operational excellence.
Fichandler’s journey to the internship began on the ice. He spent four years playing defense for Hall’s varsity team, earning the CT Hobey Baker Character Award in 2022 for his leadership and sportsmanship.
After high school, he pursued a business administration degree at the University of Pittsburgh, where he initially considered a career in medicine before discovering his passion for hockey management.
During his senior year at Pitt, Fichandler secured an internship with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, the charitable arm of the NHL franchise. He later transitioned to a coordinator role, overseeing community outreach and event logistics.
To prepare for a future in hockey operations, he devoted an hour each day to studying the inner workings of NHL front offices, a habit that caught the attention of USA Hockey officials.
From Application to Arrival
After submitting his application in early 2026, Fichandler learned in June that he had been chosen from a pool of candidates across the United States and Canada. He relocated to Michigan in July, moving into a house near the USA National Development Program’s training facility.
In his new role, he will support logistics for the National Development Program, assist coaches with scheduling, and help streamline administrative workflows. Fichandler says the experience feels like a natural extension of his long‑term goal to shape the business side of the sport.
Honoring a Visionary
Brian Burke, Brendan’s father and a longtime NHL executive, will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this fall, underscoring the family’s deep impact on the sport. For Fichandler, the internship is both a personal milestone and a tribute to the values Brendan Burke embodied.
Beyond the day‑to‑day tasks, Fichandler hopes to contribute fresh perspectives that improve efficiency and foster a culture of inclusion within USA Hockey’s operations.