Brent Burns

Team Number:	8
Birth Date:	03/09/1985
Height:	6'4"
Weight:	210lbs.
Position:	Defense

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Wild defenseman, Brent Burns is yet another strong Canadian player with a promising future. Burns was born March 9, 1985 in Ajax, Ontario and began playing hockey at the age of 2. Burns was selected by Minnesota in the first round of the 2003 NHL draft as the 20th pick overall.

During the last 5 years, Brent Burns has bounced between the OHL, Canadian league, and the NHL. Burns has appeared in 185 NHL games and is just one of three Wild players to jump to the NHL the same year as his draft.

Brent Burns most recent seasons with the Wild have been very solid. In 2006-2007, Burns led the Wild defensemen in goals (7) and assists (18) and ranked 4th in hits (86). His highest point of ice time (25:10) came during a January 16 game against the Edmonton Oilers and he ended the season by recording at least one assist in 3 consecutive games.

During Burns’ 2007-2008 season, he improved his record to 15 goals and 28 assists and increased ice time to an average of 26 minutes. Burns also saw action during Minnesota’s playoffs against Colorado where he recorded 2 assists.

In 2008-2009, Brent Burns gave a couple spots a try. He saw time as forward and later as defense. Yet the season was overshadowed by something more serious. A concussion sidelined Burns for the last 19 games of the year. Disputes soon followed. Did the Wild staff realized the severity of the concussion? Was it misdiagnosed initially, leading to potential for further injury? Rumors still abound to this day though hopefully there is no bad blood between the player and the staff.

After that recent concussion and shoulder surgery in the 2009 off-season, many fans expect he will have plenty of time to rest up and return healthy and strong to contribute to Wild hockey for years to come. In fact, Burns will be with the Wild through the 2011-2012 season and be compensated $14.2 million dollars.