Brent Burns (born March 9, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted as a right wing (20th overall) at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild, he was converted into a defenceman upon turning professional. Burns is a known as a dynamic offensive player, and though he mostly plays defence, he has been utilized as a forward on several occasions during his career.