Nate Schmidt has a pretty expressive face, but it’s hard to describe all the different emotions he conveyed in an interview that lasted only two questions.
The Utah Mammoth defenseman had just wrapped up a morning skate at Ball Arena. This is year No. 13 for him in the NHL. Just to his right, Dmitry Simashev was also removing his gear and about to answer questions about the anticipation for his NHL debut Thursday night.
That same game, which turned out to be a 2-1 win for the Avalanche, was No. 1,499 for Brent Burns. He played No. 1,500 on Saturday against the Dallas Stars.
“It’s double what I’ve got,” said Schmidt, almost in disbelief as he prepared for his 742nd career game. “It’s incredible. Honestly, the level he’s still playing at it … it’s so impressive. I remember that guy playing for the Wild when I was back in Minnesota. It’s just a testament to how the guy is able to take care of himself and just have a game that’s adaptable. I think about how much that guy’s had to adapt over the years.”
Colorado players and coaches celebrated Burns’ achievement by wearing blue tank tops with Burns’ face on them, honoring his proclivity for wearing them on a daily basis at the rink. Most of the players also wore them as they walked into Ball Arena ahead of the game Saturday night.
Devon Toews went in a different direction, paying homage to Burns’ signature large military-style backpack by sporting a huge rucksack of his own.
The 40-year-old Burns became the 23rd player in NHL history to reach the milestone. He’s just the eighth defenseman to do it. As Avs coach Jared Bednar noted, that list of defenseman — Zdeno Chara, Chris Chelios, Scott Stevens, Larry Murphy, Ray Bourque, Nicklas Lidstrom and Ryan Suter — might be the best way to put this into perspective.
It’s a group that includes nearly all of the best defensemen in modern NHL history. Burns will be the first player to reach the milestone who has played both defense and forward in his career.
Regardless of his position, he’s excelled. And he’s been in the lineup, logging heavy minutes.
“It’s absolutely crazy,” Avs captain Gabe Landeskog said. “That is so many games. So many games. I don’t think people understand, to play 1,500 games, you have to play hurt and banged up so many times. I think just getting to know (Burns) over the past month-plus, he takes really good care of himself and does everything he possibly can to make sure he’s in the best spot for puck drop.
“Having said that, he’s not Superman. We all get banged up. I know he’s played through a bunch of things in his career, and it’s not easy to do that.”
Schmidt was a sophomore at the University of Minnesota when the Wild traded him to San Jose. Avs defenseman Sam Malinski was about 10 years old when he met Burns at Cub Foods, a Twin Cities grocery store chain.
Burns spoke of his early-career memories, playing against Avs legends like Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic. There will be countless players who speak of him in the same way.
Even at 40, Burns is averaging 20:44 of ice time, third among the Avs’ defensemen, through the first three games.
“I cannot even imagine. No, that’s not even … nope,” Malinski said of trying to play 1,500 NHL games. “The way he goes about his business and everything, the way that he plays, it all kind of speaks for itself.”
Not only was it Burns’ 1,500th game, it was No. 928 in a row. That’s the fourth-longest ironman streak in NHL history.
He hasn’t missed a game since November 2013 … which was the 34-year-old Schmidt’s rookie year in the NHL. That streak could become the second-longest in league history late in this season.
Related Articles
What happens with Martin Necas, both on and off the ice, could define this Avalanche season Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas look electric together, even if it’s not a finished product Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard injured, out week-to-week Avalanche Journal: Mikko Rantanen’s return reminder ‘some things are bigger than hockey’ A much-needed ‘Wedgie’: Avalanche sluggish, but goaltender Scott Wedgewood saves them in home openerBurns could also hunt down his old pal Joe Thornton, who finished at 1,714 games, if he can stay healthy and play another two seasons beyond this.
“I take it one sleep at a time right now, you know?” Burns said when asked about Thornton’s total. “I think there’s a lot of luck, a lot of work, and you’ve just got to enjoy it every day. Obviously, everything’s a lot harder as you get older, but I just love it.
“Even a day like today, the body doesn’t feel too good, but you get going in practice and see guys getting the sweat going, and you just start laughing. Those are things you can’t take for granted.”
Want more Avalanche news? Sign up for the Avalanche Insider to get all our NHL analysis.
Hence then, the article about brent burns may not be superman but 1 500 games is another remarkable career achievement was published today ( ) and is available on The Denver Post ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Brent Burns may not be ‘Superman,’ but 1,500 games is another remarkable career achievement )
Also on site :