Brent Burns is becoming one of the most recognized defencemen in the National Hockey League.
The San Jose Sharks defenceman is a Norris Trophy finalist, he won gold with Team Canada in the 2015 World Championships and he has been named to Canada’s World Cup roster for the September 2016 tournament.
Oh, and he’s third in the Stanley Cup playoffs with 22 points (6 goals, 16 assists) as the Sharks are in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time ever facing the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ironically Burns didn’t even play defence for Butler back in 2003 when the 6’5”, 230 pound Battalion alum moved from a junior ‘A’ defenceman to a Major Junior forward with the Battalion registering 15 goals and 25 assists while being named to the 2003 OHL All-Rookie team.
“It’s funny when Brent played for me he played right wing, he played defence the year before in Couchiching, I’m not sure he wouldn’t have been a better power forward than he is a defenceman but obviously he's developed into one of the top defenceman in the league and he’s certainly having a great run in San Jose and I think the people enjoy him because he’s free spirit and energetic type of guy,” Butler reflected on his one season with Burns.
Burns remembered his one season with the Battalion fondly.
“Just playing Junior is a great time, you are away from home, the rest of the guys are in the same position as you are, it’s a great time, you are going to school there, it’s kind of the next step in life,” Burns told BayToday during an interview after a Sharks practice in Ottawa last spring.
“I just remember a lot of good times and movie nights with the boys and it was a lot of fun.”
Butler and the Battalion hope Burns continues his success as the big bearded defenceman hopes to become the first Battalion alum to hoist the Stanley Cup.