What Makes 88 Great
A look at what makes Brent Burns standout from the rest
by Nicole Grazioli / sjsharks.com
On November 23, the Sharks signed defenseman Brent Burns to an eight-year contract extension. Get ready to see that glorious beard and toothless grin for many years to come! To celebrate this big moment in Sharks history, lets take a look at some of the things that make Burnzie great.
1) 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend
There is no doubt that Brent Burns' participation in the Breakaway Challenge in the 2016 NHL All-Star Skills Competition was one of the most memorable moments in all of NHL All-Star history.
First off, he embraced his look-a-like comparison and wore a Chewbacca mask.
Next, he made the All-Star weekend a family affair. Jagger and Nate joined their dads out on the ice for one of the cutest hockey moments that made your heart melt.
2) Burnzie Style
Brent Burns is one of the best dressed in the NHL ... FACT. He can rock a plaid suit, a green suit, or whatever he really wants like no one else. Always a topic of conversation, his style never disappoints.
3) Warmup Dance
Burnzie is no ordinary guy so it's no surprise that his warmup routine before every game is unlike anyone else. With some dancing and a little solo air guitar, he wins at warmups.
4) Lifestyle Beard
The Sharks have two of the best beards in the NHL - Brent Burns and Joe Thornton. These are no ordinary beards, these became what are known as "lifestyle beards".
Video: Thornton, Burns on their playoff beards
Behold, the evolution of the beard:
5) Burnzie's Buzzcut for Charity
Speaking of beards ... believe it or not, there was a time when Burns didn't have a beard. A couple of years ago he shaved it all off for charity. His beard helped raise more than $24,000 the first time they did it!
6) #PostgamePizza
Who doesn't like some good 'za after a hockey game!? Burns does and we have to agree, #PostgamePizza is the best.
Where it all started:
7) NHL Foundation Player of the Year
In 2015, Burns was up against Mark Giordano and Henrik Lundqvist for the NHL Foundation Player of the Year Award. With all his work with non-profits like Defending the Blue Line and the Sharks Foundation, it was a well deserved win for the defenseman.
8) On Ice Action
Besides being one of the most interesting men in the NHL, Burnzie is a beast on the ice. Whether he scores a blast from the blue line or does one of his infamous Burnzie Buttchecks, this guy is fun to watch.