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Brent Burns a ‘free spirit on the ice’ for the Sharks

Los Angeles Kings v San Jose Sharks - Game Seven

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 30: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the Los Angeles Kings in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 30, 2014 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

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If there was an award for the most interesting man in the National Hockey League, Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks would definitely be in contention.

That untamed facial hair and missing teeth are only a start. There’s his sense of fashion that also separates him from other hockey players. He apparently loves pizza, but, really, who doesn’t?

And not to mention the times over his career that he’s had to adjust from going from forward to defense, then defense to forward, and finally back to defense.

“I knew I could play both. Validation I don’t think really matters. The people that matter for me within the organization believed I could do it,” Burns recently told NHL.com.

Back on the blue line, the 29-year-old Burns is having a solid season for the Sharks.

In 48 games, he’s scored 11 goals and 35 points.

In what was a very entertaining NHL Fantasy Draft on Friday -- what, exactly, was in those white cups? -- Burns was able to make a joke or two about the beard and the missing teeth, highlighting a sense of humor.

“He has some interests that are different than others. He’s his own person. He does his own thing and he’s not being influenced by the outside world that says you should or shouldn’t do this. He’s full of energy and passion,” Sharks head coach Todd McLellan told the San Jose Mercury News.

“He’s a free spirit on the ice. He’s all over it.”

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