Career Timeline of Brent Burns: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Brent Burns built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Brent Burns is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing as a defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. Initially drafted as a right winger by the Minnesota Wild in 2003, he transitioned to defense professionally. Known for his offensive capabilities, Burns has also been occasionally utilized as a forward throughout his career, showcasing his versatility on the ice.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1991: Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final

In 2015-16, Brent Burns had 24 points in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Sharks reach the Final for the first time since entering the NHL in 1991.

2002: Plays with the Brampton Battalion

In the 2002-03 season, Brent Burns played his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) career as a right winger with the Brampton Battalion. He led the team in playoff scoring that season with five goals and six assists in 11 games.

October 8, 2003: NHL Debut with the Minnesota Wild

On October 8, 2003, Brent Burns made his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild against the Chicago Blackhawks. He later scored his first NHL goal in his third game against the Sharks.

2003: Burns Debuts in the NHL

Brent Burns debuted in the NHL in 2003-04.

2003: Drafted by the Minnesota Wild

In 2003, Brent Burns was drafted as a right wing (20th overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the NHL entry draft. He was later converted into a defenceman upon turning professional.

2004: Plays in the AHL with the Houston Aeros

During the 2004-05 NHL lock-out, Brent Burns played in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Houston Aeros.

2004: Last active player before the NHL lockout

Following the retirement of Marc-André Fleury, Brent Burns is the last active player in the NHL to have played in the league prior to the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

2005: Earns a regular spot on the Wild roster

After spending the 2004-05 NHL lock-out in the AHL, Brent Burns adapted as a defenceman and earned a regular spot on the Wild roster for the 2005-06 season.

2006: Eclipses previous season's points total

During the 2006-07 season, Brent Burns surpassed his previous season's points total with 25 points.

October 25, 2007: Signs contract extension with the Wild

On October 25, 2007, during the 2007–08 season, Brent Burns signed a four-year contract extension with the Wild and emerged as one of the Wild's top defencemen, scoring a career-high 15 goals and 43 points.

2007: Engages in fights during the Stanley Cup playoffs

In the 2006-07 season, Brent Burns became a significant force for the Wild in the latter months of the season, scoring back-to-back overtime winners in March and engaging in two fights during the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs.

2009: Purchases suite for military families

Starting in the 2009 season, Brent Burns purchased a suite at the Xcel Energy Center for members of the military and their families to attend Minnesota Wild home games.

2010: Plays at the World Championships

At the 2010 World Championships, Brent Burns led all Canadian defencemen in ice time at 18:29 minutes per game as Canada finished in seventh place. He was also part of the summer camp roster for Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics, though he did not make the final roster cut.

August 1, 2011: Signs contract extension with the Sharks

On August 1, 2011, Brent Burns signed a five-year contract extension with the Sharks for $28.8 million, with an average salary cap figure of $5.76 million.

2012: Traded to the San Jose Sharks

During the 2011 NHL entry draft, Brent Burns was traded to the San Jose Sharks, along with a second-round draft pick in 2012, in exchange for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and a first-round pick in 2011.

2012: Burns used as a forward

During the shortened 2012-13 season, the Sharks used Burns as a forward.

2013: Burns used as a forward

During the 2013-14 season, the Sharks used Burns as a forward.

2013: Moved to forward position

In 2013, after rookie defenceman Matt Irwin's acquisition by the Sharks, in March, Brent Burns was moved to forward, where he scored 20 points in 23 regular season games.

2013: Returns to the Sharks' Line-up

In the 2013-14 season, Brent Burns returned to the Sharks' line-up on November 21 after missing 13 games due to sore gums, and scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning. On November 29, Brent Burns recorded his first career hat-trick in a 6-3 victory against the St. Louis Blues.

August 2014: Moves back to defence and wins NHL Foundation Player Award

In August 2014, the Sharks announced that Brent Burns would move back to defence where he scored 17 goals and finished tied for second among NHL defencemen with 60 points. Burns also won the NHL Foundation Player Award for outstanding charitable and community work.

2014: Burns returned to defense

Starting with the 2014-15 season, Brent Burns was returned to defence by the Sharks.

2015: Breakout Season

In the 2015-16 season, Brent Burns had a breakout season, finishing with 75 points (27 goals, 48 assists).

November 22, 2016: Signs contract extension with the Sharks

On November 22, 2016, Brent Burns signed an eight-year $64 million contract extension with the Sharks through 2024-25, with an average annual value of $8 million per year.

July 13, 2022: Traded to the Carolina Hurricanes

On July 13, 2022, the Sharks traded Brent Burns and Lane Pederson to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Steven Lorentz, Eetu Mäkiniemi, and a third-round selection in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

2024: Contract extension with the Sharks through 2024-25

On November 22, 2016, Brent Burns signed an eight-year $64 million contract extension with the Sharks through 2024-25, with an average annual value of $8 million per year.