By: Joe Lami

photo credit: tsportstressblogitude.com–Brett Burns San Jose Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif.—On Tuesday night, Sharks’ defenseman Brent Burns record two points in the 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. The goal and assist brought his season point total to 64, tying the Sharks’ record for most points recorded by a defenseman in a season.

“It’s a pretty cool honor. I just think it means you’re playing with a lot of great players, and you’re the recipient of a lot of great plays by guys and this year it’s been a great atmosphere,” says Burns. 

The last Sharks’ blueliner to score 64 in a season was Sandis Ozolinsh in just his second NHL season.  Ozolinsh finished ninth in voting for the James Norris Trophy in the 1993-94 season, with the award going to Ray Bourque, who finished the year with 91 points and a plus-26 rating. The last Shark to be even in the Norris conversation was Dan Boyle in both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. Boyle finished with 57 and 58 points respectively those years, but still only finished fifth and sixth in voting.

This year, Burns belongs in the conversation, as he currently leads the NHL in goals scored by a defenseman with 25 goals. He is also second in scoring, trailing the reigning Norris winner, Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators, who has 73 points and 13 goals in 71 games. Burns and Karlsson are tied in plus-minus, both having a mius-3 rating. 

“He has to be up for the Norris. The guy’s unbelievable; he plays in all situations. When he’s out there, you just feel like something can happen every shift,” commented alternate captain Joe Thornton.

After tonight’s contest, Burns has played in 69 games and is on pace to score 75 points this year and 30 goals. If Burns reaches 30 goals this year, it would be extremely impressive as only eight players have hit 30 so far this season, with all of them being all-world forwards.

“He’s been great and has carried us offensively for long stretches this season, so he’s really been good for us,” added Logan Couture.

It would be a crime if Burns wasn’t at least a finalist for the Norris this summer in Las Vegas, as he has put up the necessary numbers, leading his team into a playoff position late in the season.