Brent Burns William Brent Burns ( born March 9 , 1985 ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . Playing career . Burns was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the first round , 20th overall , in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft . Burns spent most of his minor hockey career playing for the Barrie Icemen and Ajax Knights of the OMHA . He spent two years playing in the Metropolitan Toronto Hockey league ( MTHL ) now called the Greater Toronto Hockey League ( GTHL ) for the North York Canadiens , along with fellow NHL draftees Anthony Stewart and Geoff Platt . Burns then played his OHL career as a right wing with the Brampton Battalion in the 2002 – 03 season . He led the team in playoff scoring that season with five goals and six assists in 11 games . Burns was runner - up for Most Improved Player in the OHL as voted on by the leagues coaches . Upon turning professional with the Wild in 2003 , Burns was converted to defense by defensively minded coach Jacques Lemaire . Burns played in 36 games with Minnesota in the 2003 – 04 season , showing flashes of natural ability in rushing from the blueline . After spending the 2004 NHL Lockout in the AHL with the Houston Aeros , Burns adapted as defenseman and earned a regular spot on the Wild team in the 2005 – 06 season , contributing 16 points in 72 games . In the 2006 – 07 season , Burns eclipsed his previous seasons points total with 25 and became a significant force for the Wild in the later months of the season scoring back - to - back overtime winners in March and two fights during the playoffs . On October 25 , 2007 , during the 2007 – 08 season , Burns signed a four - year contract extension with the Wild . Burns emerged as the Wild ' s best defenseman , establishing a career - high 15 goals and 43 points . In the 2008 – 09 season , Burns was shifted between forward and defense with mild success , before he was hampered by a concussion which caused him to miss the final 19 games of the season . Burns ' concussion was later a point of scrutiny when his Agent , Ron Salcer , stipulated that Wild staff had misdiagnosed his symptoms for 6 - weeks with sinusitis , putting Burns at an increased health risk . Burns then had shoulder surgery upon the completion of the Wild season . He finished the injury - marred season with 27 points . Burns suffered another concussion briefly into his 2009 – 10 season and started to skate again on January 14 . He finished another injury - filled season with 20 points in 47 games . On Nov 12 , 2010 , Burns was suspended 2 games for hitting Florida Panthers forward Steve Bernier . Burns hit Bernier on the chin with the knob of the stick , causing Bernier to bleed profusely . During the 2011 NHL Entry Draft Brent Burns along with a second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft was traded to the Sharks in exchange for Devin Setoguchi , and Charlie Coyle and a first round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft . With a year still left in his contract with the Wild , Burns signed a 5 year contract extension on August 1 , 2011 with the San Jose Sharks - the deal would pay him $ 28 . 8M over 5 years , with an average salary cap hit of $ 5 . 76M . International play . Burns was named the best defenseman at the 2008 World Championships as he helped Team Canada to a silver medal finish as the host country . Two years later at the 2010 World Championships , Burns led all Canadian defencemen in ice time at 18 : 29 minutes a game as Canada finished in seventh place . Personal life . Off the ice , Burns spends his summers in Barrie , Ontario and Lake Elmo , Minnesota and is a noted animal enthusiast . His suburban Saint Paul home is nicknamed " Burns Zoo " , due to his collection of dogs , cats , and dozens of reptiles , mainly snakes . Burns Zoo was subject of a CBC Hockey Night In Canada feature with Elliotte Friedman and on After Hours . In July 2009 , Burns married his longtime girlfriend Susan Holder . The couple welcomed their first child , a 7 - pound , 11 - ounce girl named Peyton Gabriann on March 31 , 2010 ; On June 23 , 2011 , the couple welcomed their second child , a son named Jagger Stephen Patrick . Starting in the 2009 season , Burns purchased a suite at the Xcel Energy Center for members of the military and their families to attend Wild home games .