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 defenceman currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. Originally drafted as a right wing by the Minnesota Wild in 2003, he transitioned to defence after turning professional. Known for his offensive capabilities, Burns is a versatile player who has also played forward at times during his career.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1991: Helped Sharks reach the Stanley Cup Final

In 2015-16, Brent Burns had 24 points (seven goals, 17 assists) in 24 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Sharks reach the Final for the first time since entering the NHL in 1991.

2002: Played for 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. Burns was runner-up for Most Improved Player in the OHL as voted on by Leagues coaches.

October 8, 2003: NHL Debut with the Wild

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

2003: Drafted by the Minnesota Wild

In 2003, Brent Burns was drafted as a right wing (20th overall) by the Minnesota Wild at the NHL Entry Draft.

2003: Drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round

In 2003, Brent Burns was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round, 20th overall, in the NHL Entry Draft.

2004: Played in the AHL with the Houston Aeros during NHL Lockout

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

2005: Earned a regular spot on the Wild roster

After spending the 2004-05 NHL lock-out in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Houston Aeros, Brent Burns adapted as a defenceman and earned a regular spot on the Wild roster for the 2005-06 season, contributing 16 points in 72 games.

2006: Eclipsed Previous Season's Points Total

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

October 25, 2007: Signed 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. He emerged as one of the Wild's top defensemen, scoring a career-high 15 goals and 43 points.

2007: Significant force for the Wild

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

2010: Led Canadian defencemen in ice time at 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: Signed contract extension with the Sharks

On August 1, 2011, Brent Burns signed a five-year contract extension with the Sharks; the deal would pay him $28.8 million over five years, 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, along with a second-round draft pick in 2012, was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and a first-round pick in 2011.

2013: Burns returns and scores against Lightning, records first hat-trick

During the 2013-14 season, Brent Burns missed 13 games after October 21 due to sore gums, but on November 21, 2013, Burns returned to the Sharks' line-up and scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 5–1 winning effort. On November 29, 2013, against the St. Louis Blues, Burns recorded his first career hat-trick in a 6–3 victory.

2013: Moved to Forward

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.

August 2014: Moved Back to Defence and Won 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.

2015: Breakout season

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

November 22, 2016: Signed contract extension with 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.

December 27, 2018: Played 1,000th career game

On December 27, 2018, Brent Burns played in his 1,000th career game in a 4–2 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

July 13, 2022: Traded to the Carolina Hurricanes

On July 13, 2022, the Sharks traded Brent Burns and Lane Pederson to the Carolina Hurricanes.

January 29, 2023: Played 1,300th NHL game

On January 29, 2023, Brent Burns played his 1,300th NHL game.

2024: Contract Extension Through This Year

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.