Though his beard makes him easily distinguishable off the ice, Brent Burns is most recognized for his snipes on the ice by his peers.
Way to pick the corner, @Burnzie88. #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/wsD5hfzzGi
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2017
Burns, of Barrie, Ontario, Canada, played in all 82 regular season games for the San Jose Sharks in 2016-17, and he helped his club qualify for the playoffs in the Western Conference.
Burns led all NHL defencemen in goals (29), points (76), points per game (0.93), game-winning goals (6), and his total shots on goal (320) led the league, while he finished ninth in league scoring.
Burns also set single-season franchise records for goals and points by a defenceman. He is the first defenceman to be voted a finalist in 17 years (since Chris Pronger, 1999-00); if selected, he would become only the second defenceman (following Bobby Orr, 1974-75) to receive the Award.
Burns is a first-time Ted Lindsay Award finalist.
