A new era of Athens hockey is about to begin. In Episode 8 of Peach State Puck, host Matteen Rad sits down with new Athens Rock Lobsters head coach Scott Burt for his first extended public conversation since taking over the team ahead of its inaugural season in the SPHL.
After the latest news from around Georgia hockey, including developments surrounding Atlanta’s pursuit of an NHL franchise, new signings across the state, and the latest additions to the Rock Lobsters roster, Matteen and Burt look ahead to what Athens fans can expect when the puck drops on October 16. Burt explains the hard-working identity he intends to establish, his approach to recruiting and developing young players, the importance of creating an NHL-style professional environment, and why he believes Athens already has the foundation necessary to build a championship-caliber organization.
Burt also reflects on a career shaped by winning. As a player, he became the first in ECHL history to capture three Kelly Cup championships, learning firsthand what separates championship locker rooms from everyone else. Now, he hopes to bring those lessons to Athens as he pursues the next major goal of his hockey career, winning a championship as a head coach.
Then the conversation takes a deeply personal turn.
Burt shares the remarkable story of his battle with brain cancer, beginning with the subtle warning signs that something was wrong and the devastating discovery of a brain tumor in December 2024. He recounts suffering a seizure, undergoing emergency brain surgery, waking up in intensive care, beginning treatment at the Mayo Clinic, and astonishingly returning to the rink only days after surgery. Through it all, his family, players, organization, and the hockey community rallied around him as he fought his way back behind the bench.
That experience gave new meaning to the philosophy Burt carries with him every day: “It’s a good day for a good day.” He explains how surviving cancer changed his outlook on family, hockey, leadership, and the importance of appreciating every opportunity to wake up and pursue the life you love.
Part season preview, part championship conversation, and part story of extraordinary resilience, this episode introduces Athens fans to far more than their new head coach. It introduces the person behind the bench and the experiences that shaped the culture he now hopes to build in the Classic City. For Scott Burt, the next chapter is about developing players, building a family, winning hockey games, and ultimately bringing a championship home to Crustacean Nation.
