Sept. 16, 2026, 3:04 p.m. ET
Long-time NHL veteran Brent Burns is a hockey fan favorite for multiple reasons, but one stands out among the rest as to why he’s so beloved: his beard. Hockey players are no stranger to beards around playoff time, but one of Burns’ lasting legacies in hockey outside of his play is his majestic mountain man beard. Ahead of the 2026-27 season, however, Burns has committed to a new look and it is so incredibly jarring.
On Wednesday during a session with the media, DNVR reporter Bailey Curtis posted a photo of Burns sporting a fresh hair cut ahead of Colorado Avalanche training camp. In the photo, Burns’ iconic full beard is gone and instead, the 41-year-old defenseman now has a closer shaved beard and a fresh hair cut on top that makes him look 10 years younger and nearly unrecognizable.
That is quite the departure from the Burns we’ve all known and loved these last 15 years! The NHL veteran looks so normal now and honestly, while it’s a good hair cut on him, it’s quite unsettling all the same. We’ll just have to wait and see if Burns continues to grow this beard out or if he keeps it trimmed throughout the season.
