Have Extensive NHL Pedigree

For the first time in Williamsport’s long and storied baseball history, a pair of brothers grace the roster of a Williamsport professional team.

If that isn’t notable enough, the brothers, Steele and Slaide Burd, have an extensive National Hockey League pedigree in their background.

Two of their great-grandfathers are NHL Hall of Famers, Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion, the inventor of the “slap shot,” and Howard Morenz.

Their grandfather, Harland Monahan, enjoyed a fine career in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Los Angeles Kings in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

They also have baseball in their background.

Their uncle, Shane Monahan, saw action with the Seattle Mariners in 1998, in addition to minor league teams in the Reds, Padres, Rockies, Pirates, and Royals organizations. Another uncle spent time in the Chicago Cubs farm system.

“It’s definitely a dream come true to get the chance to play professional baseball,” Slaide Burd told Webb Weekly. “It’s also kind of neat to play on the same team as your brother. It means a lot for me to start in a place so rich in baseball history. I just graduated from high school, and having him around on the same team will help me get acclimated to the faster pace of baseball at this level. I really enjoy the idea of playing at a place as historic as this is.”

Steele, the older of the two brothers, may have the harder task, because he plays the demanding position of catcher, but it is a challenge he is ready to meet.

“I had a pretty good season at Junior College (the State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota), and I hope that gave me some good preparation for playing here,” Steele stated. “I really look forward to learning a lot and honing my skills this year. It’s going to be a great challenge for me as well as Slaide.”

Both are quick to point to their strong Christian beliefs to help them get through the rigors of the season.

“We both trust in God and have faith in him, and he will sustain us through whatever we may encounter,” stated Steele.

The Burds will be attending Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, this fall. In the meantime, they will play for the Cutters during the first half of the season, when all players are amateurs and have not signed any professional contracts yet.

Slaide & Steele Burd