Burns has posted 67 points (12 goals, 55 assists) and 332 shots on net in 82 games this season. Burns leads the Sharks in assists, shots (332) and points. Among NHL defensemen, Burns ranks in the top three in points, assists, shots and takeaways (75). His 55 assists surpassed his own Sharks franchise record for most assists by a blueliner in a single season (set in 2015-16). In addition, he has joined
Hockey Hall of Fame
alumni
Bobby Orr
and
Ray Bourque
as the only defensemen in the NHL to post three consecutive seasons with at least 60 points and 320 shots on net.
Burns was also named the
Sharks Foundation
"
Sharks Player of the Month
" during the month of December. He put up 14 points (5-9=14) in 13 games, leading all NHL blueliners during that span.
The defender was named to his fourth NHL All-Star game this season. He won the
NHL's Norris Trophy
as the League's top defenseman last season and finished third in voting the season prior. He was named a finalist for 2016
ESPN's
Sports Humanitarian of the Year Award, and won the
NHL Foundation Player of the Year Award
following the 2014-15 season for his charitable actions and community work.
The six-foot-five, 230-pound native of
Barrie, Ontario
was originally selected by the
Minnesota Wild
in the first round (20th overall) of the
2003 NHL Draft
. He was acquired by San Jose from Minnesota on June 24, 2011.
Everyone who submitted a vote for the "Sharks Fan Favorite Award" was automatically entered into a random drawing which one (1) Grand Prize winner was randomly selected from among all eligible entries during the voting period.
The Grand Prize winner received two tickets to Sharks "Fan Appreciation Night" and a chance to meet their favorite player on the ice after the game and receive the jersey off of his back.
