Big, skilled and `weird'
Why there will never be another San Jose Shark like Brent Burns
SAN JOSE >> An argument can be made that Brent Burns is the most unique and talented player to ever wear a San Jose Sharks uniform.
Was there ever another Sharks player who was as prolific as Burns as both a defenseman and a forward? Was there another 6-foot-5, 230-pound beast who was an elite skater with soft hands that averaged 24 minutes of ice time per game over 11 seasons?
Has there ever been another Sharks player with as many tattoos, and who had as many varied interests? Who transformed his look as much from the time he arrived to the time he left, becoming the face of the franchise in the process?
“He didn't have the beard, he didn't have the long hair, but he had the tattoos,” Sharks captain Logan Couture said of Burns' arrival in San Jose from Minnesota in 2011. “I remember asking about all of the tattoos. I remember him telling me he got his first one when he was 11.”
The tattoo, on his right shoulder, was of a Canadian flag and a hockey stick. By the time he came to San Jose, he had nine, with more on the way.
“Weird character, special person,” Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic said. “A really nice guy.”
Friday's Sharks home opener was Burns' first game back at SAP Center since he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes three months ago.
In his 11 seasons in San Jose, after he was acquired in 2011 by former general manager Doug Wilson, Burns led all Sharks players in games (798), points (594), assists (422), and shots on goal (2,643). He also became the first Sharks defenseman to win the Norris Trophy, capturing the award in 2017.
Burns' consecutive games played streak of 680, which began in November 2013, is the third longest all-time for a defenseman, behind only Keith Yandle (680) and Jay Bouwmeester (737).
Friday, along with the usual home opener festivities, with player and staff member introductions, the Sharks held a moment of appreciation for Burns before the start of the game, similar to what they did for fellow franchise icons Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, and Joe Thornton in their initial returns to San Jose.
“He played (defense), he played forward, he played D again, played some forward again, back to D, and won a Norris,” Couture said. “He had some really good years, and was a big reason why we were so successful.”
Burns has 59 points in 83 playoff games, including 24 points in 24 games with the Sharks in 2016, helping the team advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Since that year, Burns never played less than 20 minutes in any playoff game. Nine times he played more than 30 minutes, including a staggering 47:51 in a triple-overtime game against Nashville in 2016.
“A great, great Shark,” Couture said. “We're going to treat him the way that he deserves to be treated on Friday — and we want to beat him.”
Burns is a one-of-a-kind person, too.
In Burns' former home in the suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which he affectionately called “the zoo” in a 2008 CBC video, he had a reptile room in the basement where he, at the time, said he kept about 40 snakes. None were poisonous, but some pythons were in the mix.
Burns' snake collection grew over time. But when bought a home in the South Bay after he was traded to the Sharks, he left the snakes in Minnesota.
“I don't know how people would react to me moving into a rental house with 150 snakes,” Burns said at the time.
Later on, Vlasic bought a home on the same street, with one caveat.
“Before I bought the house. I made sure the snakes wouldn't be there,” Vlasic said.
Burns' snake collection must've grown, from Vlasic's estimation.
“How many people do you know have 400 snakes?” Vlasic said. “Goes to Detroit, takes them out, puts them on the floor, sits down, and pets them.”
Burns' love of reptiles and exotic animals is well known. On his 420-acre Texas ranch, which he and his family have had for about six years, Burns has both African and North American game.
Burns said the ranch will be home base after his playing days are over, but that'll still be a while considering how dedicated he is to fitness and how durable he's become. He turned 37 in March, but still played more minutes last season than any other NHL defenseman.
Burns has three seasons left on his eight-year, $64 million contract he signed with the Sharks in November 2016. With the Sharks still in the throes of a rebuild, Burns expressed a desire to be a Stanley Cupcontending team and gave the go-ahead to a trade to the Hurricanes in July.
The deal ended an unforgettable era for Burns in San Jose, which may never see someone like him again.
“Great teammate, great guy to be around, great guy to play with,” Sharks center Tomas Hertl said. “We've got a lot of good memories, and we for sure miss him.”