Brent Burns facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brent Burns
Burns with the San Jose Sharks in April 2016
Born	(1985-03-09) March 9, 1985 (age 40) Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight	230 lb (104 kg; 16 st 6 lb)
Position	Defence/Right wing
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Colorado Avalanche Minnesota Wild San Jose Sharks Carolina Hurricanes
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	20th overall, 2003 Minnesota Wild
Playing career	2003–present

Brent Burns (born March 9, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was first drafted as a right wing by the Minnesota Wild in 2003. When he became a professional player, he changed to playing defence.

Burns is known for his strong offensive skills. Even though he mostly plays defence, he has sometimes played as a forward during his career. He has also played for the San Jose Sharks and the Carolina Hurricanes.

In the 2012–13 and 2013–14 NHL seasons, the Sharks used Burns as a forward. But for the 2014–15 season, he moved back to defence. At the end of the 2015–16 season, Burns was one of the top three players considered for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the NHL's best defenceman. The next year, after the 2016–17 season, Burns won the award for the first time.

Playing Hockey: Brent Burns' Journey

Early Hockey Days

Brent Burns was chosen by the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2003 NHL entry draft. He was the 20th player picked overall. Before joining the NHL, he played a lot of minor hockey. He played for teams like the Barrie Icemen and Ajax Knights. He also played in the Greater Toronto Hockey League.

In the 2002–03 season, Burns played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was a right winger for the Brampton Battalion. That season, he led his team in playoff scoring. He had five goals and six assists in 11 games.

Professional Career: NHL Highlights

Time with the Minnesota Wild (2003–2011)

When Burns became a professional player with the Wild in 2003, his coach, Jacques Lemaire, changed his position to defence. Burns played his first NHL game on October 8, 2003. He scored his first NHL goal in his third game. In his first season (2003–04), he played 36 games. He showed his natural talent for rushing from the blueline.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Burns played in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played for the Houston Aeros. He got better as a defenceman there. For the 2005–06 season, he earned a regular spot on the Wild team. He scored 16 points in 72 games.

Burns with the Wild in January 2011

In the 2006–07 season, Burns scored 25 points. He became a very important player for the Wild. He scored two overtime winning goals in March. In the 2007–08 season, Burns signed a new four-year contract. He became one of the Wild's best defencemen. He scored a career-high 15 goals and 43 points that year.

In the 2008–09 season, Burns sometimes played as a forward and sometimes as a defenceman. He missed the last 19 games of the season because of a head injury. He also had shoulder surgery after the season ended. He finished that season with 27 points.

Burns had another head injury early in the 2009–10 season. He finished that season with 20 points in 47 games. In November 2010, Burns was suspended for two games. This was for hitting a player from the Florida Panthers.

Years with the San Jose Sharks (2011–2022)

In 2011, Brent Burns was traded to the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks gave up Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle, and a draft pick to get him. Burns signed a five-year contract with the Sharks in August 2011. The deal was worth $28.8 million.

Burns with the Sharks in December 2011, during his first season with the team

In 2013, Burns moved to play as a forward for the Sharks. He scored 20 points in 23 regular season games. In the 2013–14 season, Burns played the first eight games. He then missed 13 games due to sore gums. When he returned in November, he scored a goal. On November 29, he scored his first career hat-trick against the St. Louis Blues.

In August 2014, the Sharks announced that Burns would move back to defence. He scored 17 goals and 60 points that season. He also won the NHL Foundation Player Award. This award is for players who do great charitable and community work.

Burns had an amazing season in 2015–16. He scored 75 points (27 goals, 48 assists). In the playoffs, he had 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 24 games. He helped the Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time ever.

In November 2016, Burns signed a new eight-year contract with the Sharks. It was worth $64 million. In 2017, Burns won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's best defenceman. He was also nominated for the Ted Lindsay Award. This award goes to the league's best player, as voted by the players themselves.

He played his 1,000th career game on December 27, 2018. It was a 4–2 win against the Anaheim Ducks.

Playing for the Carolina Hurricanes (2022–2025)

On July 13, 2022, the Sharks traded Burns and Lane Pederson to the Carolina Hurricanes. In return, the Sharks received Steven Lorentz, Eetu Mäkiniemi, and a draft pick. On January 29, 2023, Burns played his 1,300th NHL game. He played three seasons with the Hurricanes.

Burns with the Hurricanes in October 2022

Joining the Colorado Avalanche (2025–present)

After playing for the Hurricanes, Burns became a free agent. He decided to continue his career by joining the Colorado Avalanche. On July 2, 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the Avalanche for the 2025–26 season.

International Hockey for Canada

Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada
World Championships
Gold	2015 Czech Republic
Silver	2008 Quebec City
Canada Cup / World Cup
Gold	2016 Toronto
World Junior Championships
Silver	2004 Helsinki

Burns has played for Canada in many international tournaments. At the 2008 World Championships, he was named the best defenceman. He helped Canada win a silver medal.

At the 2015 World Championships, Burns was again named the best defenceman. He was also part of the all-star team. Canada won the gold medal at this tournament. He also won a gold medal at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Brent Burns' Life Off the Ice

Brent Burns and his wife, Susan Holder, got married in July 2009. They have three children.

In the summers, Burns spends time in Barrie, Ontario, and Lake Elmo, Minnesota. He is very passionate about animals. His home in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is even called "Burns Zoo." This is because he has many dogs, cats, and dozens of reptiles, especially snakes.

Burns in 2014

Since 2009, Burns has bought a special seating area at the Xcel Energy Center. This is for military members and their families to watch Minnesota Wild home games.

Burns also owns a ranch in Texas. There, he raises and cares for many different kinds of exotic animals. These include wildebeest and fallow deer. When he played his 1,000th game, his teammates bought him two antelopes for his animal collection.

Burns also tried acting! He had a small role in two episodes of the TV show Vikings. He played a character named Skane.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2004	Canada	WJC			6	0	6	6	20
2008	Canada	WC			9	3	6	9	16
2010	Canada	WC	7th		7	0	5	5	12
2011	Canada	WC	5th		7	2	2	4	8
2015	Canada	WC			10	2	9	11	2
2016	Canada	WCH			6	0	3	3	6
Junior totals					6	0	6	6	20
Senior totals					39	7	25	32	44

Awards and Honours