Rossland, British Columbia
Born in Rossland, British Columbia, Burnett began his career at junior level in 2000–01 with the Beaver Valley Nitehawks. The Nitehawks ice in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League and in the 2000-01 season, Burnett totalled 32 goals and 33 assists in just 42 games. This productivity saw Burnett move up to the British Columbia Hockey League's Trail Smoke Eaters for the 2001–02 term, a Tier II 'A' junior team.