Veteran defenseman Brent Burns signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday, the club announced. It ended a short free agency stint for Burns this summer, who has spent the past three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes.

It has been 25 years since the Avalanche famously traded for a 40-year-old future Hall of Fame defenseman, and Ray Bourque made his final wish come true with Colorado the following season. Chasing a championship is a big part of why Burns wants to keep playing, but it goes beyond that as well.

The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Brent Burns on a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season.