Brent Burns of Colorado Avalanche eyes history, set to play 1,500th NHL game

Brent Burns carries a lot of weight on his shoulders these days. Not pressure-related or anything, just from his heavy, military-style backpack that’s crammed with all the necessities to keep the 40-year-old Colorado defenseman humming along.

The precise contents remain a mystery, but whatever’s stuffed inside sure is working. Burns, who’s embarking on his 22nd NHL season and first in Colorado, is slated to play in his 1,500th NHL game on Saturday against Dallas. Delving deeper, he hasn’t missed a contest since 2013, running his streak to 927 straight, which is the league's fourth-longest “Iron Man” streak of all time.

Burns has been with the Avalanche for a short time and already he's making his mark. The bushy-bearded, front-teeth-missing Burns is a social butterfly who strikes up conversations all around the facility. He’s a fatherly hockey figure, too, and another 40-something to play for the Avalanche, following in the footsteps of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, who joined the team at the end of his storied career.


Like Bourque, Burns is chasing his first Stanley Cup title late in his hockey tenure. The Avalanche would love nothing more than to make that title happen, too, much like they sent Bourque into retirement by hoisting the trophy in 2001.

On Saturday against Mikko Rantanen and the Stars — the team that knocked Colorado out of the playoffs last season — Burns is set to skate in game No. 1,500. When he does, he will become the league’s eighth defenseman to reach the milestone.

If Burns were to suit up in every game this season, he could move up to number 2 on the all-time consecutive games played list with 1,007. At that point, he would trail only Phil Kessel’s streak of 1,064.

FAQs

Q1. Who is Brent Burns?
A1. Brent Burns is NHL player of Colorado Avalanche.

Q2. What lies ahead of Brent Burns?
A2. Brent Burns were to suit up in every game this season, he could move up to number 2 on the all-time consecutive games played list with 1,007. At that point, he would trail only Phil Kessel’s streak of 1,064.