Brent Burns is both a beauty and a beast.
Drafted in the first round (20th overall) by the Minnesota Wild, Burns was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2011. The hulking blue liner has spent 12 seasons in the NHL, played in 837 games, and accumulated 462 points in that span.
Still, it appears that the Brent Burns show has just begun.
Though the 6’ 5”, 200 lb blue liner has been all the rage around Norris Trophy water cooler conversations this year, Burns has not always been the elite defenseman he is today.
In fact, it wasn’t until he was drafted by the Minnesota Wild that Burns began to play defense. If it weren’t for Jacques Lemaire – Minnesota’s Head Coach at the time – Burns may never had adapted his game for the blue line. But he did. Earning himself a spot on the Wild’s blue line.
Arm chair General Managers have long known of Burns’ value. Fantasy hockey league’s (like that of Yahoo or ESPN) have in the past listed him as both a defenseman and a forward; providing invaluable mobility to make-believe rosters across this great land.
More recently, though, especially since being traded to San Jose, Burns had made the blue line his permanent position. He is no longer available as a forward in fantasy leagues but that has hardly affected his offensive output.
Having finished last season’s 2015/16 campaign with an incredible 27 goals, 48 assists, and 75 points, Burns came in third on the ballet for Norris Trophy votes.
This year, however, is different.
He is among one of the best in his position, accumulating more 5 on 5 points than any other defenseman in the league this year. He also leads the position in goals and is currently on pace to eclipse his point total from last year. With 15 goals, 24 assists, and 39 points Burns boasts a league leading 160 shots on goal.
I repeat, a LEAGUE leading 160 shots on goal. A stat line all the more impressive when you realize that he has accomplished all of this from the blue line.
To put it in perspective, Burns has more shots on goal than some of the league’s most elite shooters; including the likes of Alexander Ovechkin (151), Patrick Kane (138), and Connor McDavid (123).
But Brent Burns is oh so much more than your typical hockey player.
His personality is larger than life.
With a beard bigger than father time’s and fewer teeth and a four-year old, Burns has what many would call a magnetic personality.
He is a self-proclaimed animal lover, he and his Lake Elmo home (nicknamed the Burns Zoo) was even a subject of CBC’s “Inside Hockey.”
Active on twitter, @Burzie88 never disappoints.
I believe this is Brent Burns and Joe Thornton. They are walking around Pittsburgh’s North Shore and don’t give ONE HELL. pic.twitter.com/T7t8LiLlBy
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) October 19, 2016
.@colin_dunlap tiny creepy and shouldn’t be on phone while driving BUT I respect the photo skills! 19looks like he just got off the bench Ha
— Brent Burns (@Burnzie88) October 19, 2016
His most recent exploits has the toothless wonder team up with Subway to scare the sh*t out of customers and fans.
What do you get when you mix @Burnzie88, a Pepsi Spire @SUBWAYCanada and some unsuspecting fans? Watch now! pic.twitter.com/bv462ENfNL
— PEPSI Canada (@PepsiCanada) December 30, 2016
On the ice, Brent Burns is a force to be reckoned with. Off the ice he is just a big teddy bear.
Brent Burns is both a beauty and a beast.
