(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK (AP) Hall of Fame defenseman Brian Leetch and former You Can Play executive director Patrick Burke joined the NHL's department of player safety on Thursday.

Leetch is taking the position of manager of player safety that had been held by Rob Blake, who was named assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Kings last month. Burke will serve in the new position of director of player safety.

"Brian Leetch and Patrick Burke are two astute members of the hockey community who will bring unique perspectives and personal experiences to the Department of Player Safety," Brendan Shanahan, the NHL vice president of player safety and hockey operations said in a statement Thursday.

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