Brent Burns is a professional hockey player from Ontario, Canada who has played in the NHL for a long time. He's known for being an extremely versatile player as he excelled at both forward and defensive positions throughout his career. He began his professional career with the Minnesota Wild in 2003. Burns was the 20th overall pick during his draft. After playing for the Minnesota Wild until 2011, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks.
While with the Sharks, Burn's flexibility on the court shined when he first got the chance to play as a forward. Additionally, he was able to help the Sharks make their first Stanley Cup Finals in 2016. Not only is Brent Burns known for being an incredible hockey player, he is also known for growing one of the top five most impressive playoff beards each season.
The season before entering the NHL in 2003, Burns played for the Ontario Hockey League with the Bramptons. Burns got his first big break though during the 2003 NHL Draft where he was chosen in the first round and 20th pick. With the Minnesota Wild, he played as a defensive player and became the first NHL defenseman in four years to score the winning point in overtime games. He repeated this feat two days later.
In 2011, Burns was traded to the San Jose Sharks. In 2012, the Sharks switched Brent's position to a forward. During his second season as a forward he scored 22 goals and got his first hat trick! Burns returned as a defenseman in the 2014-2015 season. In the next season Burns really improved with a total of 76 points (29 of those being from goals). He reached his career high points during the 2018-2019 season with 83 points.
Throughout Brent Burns' career his performance has stood out against other players. This is evident in his numerous awards and accolades he's received during his professional career. First, the NHL has selected him to play in the NHL All-Star Game in 2011 and 2015 through 2019.
In addition to being selected to play in the All-Star Game, Brent Burns has also been chosen by the NHL for First and Second All-Star Team. He was chosen for the First team in 2017 and the Second team in 2016. The NHL has also recognized Burns for his incredible charitable work when he won the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2015.
Another great achievement of Burns was when he won the title of Best Defensemen for the 2008 IIHF World Championships. Burns' performance stood out for this award when he helped Team Canada secure a second place finish at the 2008 World Championships.
Brent Burns was born in Barrie, Ontario where he quickly fell in love with the sport of hockey. He played in the General Toronto Hockey League and the Ontario Junior Hockey League before the OHL and NHL. Although his career quickly took off, Burns has always remained humble and connected to charity work.
He won the NHL Foundation Player Award for his commitment to bettering the lives of his community. He chose to put his donation money towards Defending the Blue Line and Folds of Honor. These two organizations benefit the families of those serving in the military. Burns even created a charity called "Burnzies Buzzcut" where he and other teammates shave their heads to raise awareness and money for great organizations.
Off the ice, Burns married his long-time girlfriend Susan Hodler in 2009 and together they have two children. His daughter is named Peyton and his son is named Jagger.
Brent Burns is known to be very involved with charitable organizations and he's been able to find some unique ways to give back. In 2013, Burns had his fans raise over $23,000 for Defending the Blue Line and The Katie Moore Foundation. His incentive for fans to donate was him shaving his luscious hair and beard. Burns goal was to only raise $10,000 but fans went above and beyond for this great cause.
Brent Burns has played both positions during his professional career. He's spent the most time as a defenseman since his only stint as a forward was between 2012-2014. His ability to compete at the professional level in both positions proves he's talented and a very versatile player. Despite performing well in both offense and defense, Burns has received the most awards and recognition for his performance on the ice as a defenseman.
Brent Burns, like many other hockey players, dawns a few empty spaces in his smile. Although Burns hasn't spoken about when exactly he lost his teeth, he does enjoy joking about them. Burns has lost three teeth and apparently has one that's barely hanging on. However, Burns hopes to keep that one for eating corn on the cob. He does have a set of cosmetic teeth but he often loses them for months at a time.
As of 2020, Brent Burns has not won a Stanley Cup throughout his career. However, he was a part of the first Shark's team to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The San Jose Sharks are a relatively new NHL team since they formed in just 1991. They made the Stanley Cup finals in the 2015-2016 season and unfortunately lost in game six against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Burns had 36 points throughout the 58 playoff games.
