Brent Burns Debuts Trimmed Look at Avalanche Training Camp

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns arrived at training camp on Wednesday with a close-cropped beard and a sterling white bridge.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns, 41, debuted a significant physical transformation at the team’s training camp on Wednesday, appearing with a close-cropped beard and a sterling white bridge to replace his signature gap-toothed smile. The veteran blueliner, who began growing his trademark unkempt whiskers roughly 12 years ago while playing for the San Jose Sharks, was described by his agent, Ron Salcer, as looking like an unrecognizable rookie during media availability.

Burns enters the season as the NHL’s active leader among defensemen in both points (945) and games played (1,579). He currently holds the league's longest active consecutive games-played streak at 1,007, trailing only Phil Kessel’s all-time record of 1,064. Despite his age and tenure, Burns told reporters on Wednesday that he never considered retirement following last season, citing the strength of the Avalanche roster and the opportunity to win his first Stanley Cup championship.

The defenseman’s previous look became a fixture of NHL culture, leading to a 2017 appearance in ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue and a 2016 All-Star skills competition appearance in a Chewbacca mask. This season marks Burns' second year in Colorado following previous stints with the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes.