Sharks’ Brent Burns Honored To Play in 2015 All-Star Game

Jan 14, 2015

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(photo: Dinur Blum)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns has been named as an All-Star for the 2015 Honda NHL All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, January 25th, in Columbus, Ohio. The All-Star Game has been played almost every season since its inception during the 1947-48 season. Now in its 60th year, the chosen players are “drafted” into two teams, followed by a skills competition on January 24th and then the game itself the following day.

This is not Burns’ first rodeo, though – his first All-Star appearance was back in 2011 with the Minnesota Wild.

Originally drafted by Minnesota in the first round in 2003, Burns has notched 322 points (108 goals, 214 assists) and 449 penalty minutes in his 675 career NHL games. After spending two years as a forward, he returned to the blueline this season and continues to contribute offensively. Among all defensemen, he currently ranks tied for first in goals (11) and third in points (34) with 119 shots on goal so far this season. He is a top-performer on the Sharks’ power play as well, currently tied fourth among the league’s defensemen with four power play goals. Also impressive, he leads the Sharks in time on ice with an average of 23:41 of on-ice time per game.

Off the ice, he makes his presence known as well. “Burnzie,” known for his bearded look, created the “Burnzie’s Buzzcut for Charity” event with his wife where teammates shave his hair and beard to help raise money for good causes and organizations – the San Francisco Zoo, Defending the Blue Line, and the Katie Moore Foundation were last year’s recipients of the proceeds totaling over $15,000. For all of his amazing charity work in the community, Burns was nominated for 2014’s King Clancy Memorial Trophy.

A fan-favorite in San Jose, Burns commented that it’s a “huge honor” to be selected and has enjoyed the event in the past