Story Summary
Brent Burns surprised teammates and media at Colorado Avalanche training camp by arriving clean-shaven, with a new haircut and new front teeth. The veteran defenceman, entering his 23rd NHL season, spoke to reporters at camp as the Avs prepare to open the season on Wednesday, Sept. 30 against the LA Kings.
Key Facts
- Brent Burns arrived at Colorado Avalanche training camp clean-shaven after years of his trademark facial hair.
- Burns also showed up with a fresh haircut and brand new front teeth.
- He spoke to the media at camp two weeks before the Avalanche open their season against the LA Kings on Wed. Sept. 30 (10 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, HBO MAX).
- Burns is entering his 23rd season in the NHL.
- As an 18-year-old starting his NHL career in 2003, Burns did not have much facial hair.
- By 2016, Burns’s beard had prompted a Chia Pet giveaway while he was with the San Jose Sharks.
- Burns has currently played over 1,000 consecutive games in the NHL.
- His consecutive-games streak began in 2013 and is still active.
- Burns is 57 games away from Phil Kessel’s all-time record of 1,064 consecutive games played.
IHM Discussion
The change is cosmetic but notable: Burns’s beard became one of the most recognisable player trademarks in the League, so its removal is an attention-grabbing moment for teammates and fans. Entering his 23rd season, Burns is among the NHL’s longest-serving players. The new haircut and front teeth create a visibly different look for a player whose appearance has long been part of his public persona.
That persona produced fan-facing moments in the past – Burns’s beard prompted a Chia Pet giveaway in 2016 while he was with the San Jose Sharks. This season, though, the off-ice change comes alongside an active consecutive-games streak of more than 1,000 games, with Burns 57 games short of Phil Kessel’s all-time record of 1,064.
Why It Matters
A haircut or dental work is personal, but Burns’s new appearance stands out because his beard was such a recognisable part of his identity. It arrives at training camp as he enters his 23rd NHL season with an active consecutive-games streak, underlining the longevity behind the lighter story.
Mini Q&A
What changed about Brent Burns’s appearance?
He arrived at Colorado Avalanche training camp clean-shaven, with a fresh haircut and brand new front teeth.
Which team does Burns play for and what is his role?
Brent Burns is a veteran defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche.
When is the Avalanche’s season opener mentioned in the source?
The Avalanche open their season against the LA Kings on Wed. Sept. 30 at 10 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX).
How many NHL seasons is Burns entering?
He is entering his 23rd season in the NHL.
What is said about Burns’s consecutive-games streak?
Burns has played over 1,000 consecutive NHL games; the streak began in 2013 and is still active, and he is 57 games away from Phil Kessel’s record of 1,064 consecutive games played.
Has Burns’s beard been notable before?
Yes – by 2016 his beard had prompted a Chia Pet giveaway while he was with the San Jose Sharks.
Coach Mark Comment
For Burns, the camp priority is simple: arrive prepared, build his game through camp and be ready when the season begins. The new look will draw attention, but availability and execution remain the meaningful measures for a veteran defenceman.
What Comes Next
The immediate checkpoint is the Avalanche’s season opener against the LA Kings on Wed. Sept. 30 (10 p.m. ET; TNT, truTV, HBO MAX), which follows the training-camp media availability where Burns showed his new look.
IHM Final View
Burns’s new look is a human-interest moment rather than a roster development. It is notable because it interrupts a long-running public image, while his 23rd NHL season and active consecutive-games streak give the story its real hockey context as Colorado approaches the opener.