Avalanche's Brent Burns reaches 1,000 consecutive NHL games

Defenseman joins elite club with milestone achievement

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:14pm

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns has become only the second player in NHL history to appear in 1,000 consecutive games, reaching the milestone in a matchup against the Dallas Stars.

Why it matters

Consecutive games played is one of the most impressive and unbreakable records in professional sports, requiring an incredible level of durability, health, and commitment over many seasons. Burns' achievement cements his status as one of the league's most durable and reliable players.

The details

Burns, 41, has not missed a single game since making his NHL debut with the Minnesota Wild in 2003. He is the second player to reach the 1,000 consecutive games milestone, joining Doug Jarvis who holds the all-time record of 964 straight games played from 1975 to 1987.

  • Burns reached the 1,000 consecutive games milestone on April 4, 2026.

The players

Brent Burns

A 41-year-old defenseman for the Colorado Avalanche who has now played in 1,000 consecutive NHL games, the second-longest such streak in league history.

Doug Jarvis

The NHL player who holds the all-time record for most consecutive games played at 964 games from 1975 to 1987.

Dallas Stars

The Central Division rival that the Colorado Avalanche were facing when Brent Burns reached the 1,000 consecutive games milestone.

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What they’re saying

“Brent Burns is the epitome of consistency and durability in the NHL. To play in 1,000 straight games is an incredible feat that very few athletes in any sport can claim.”

— Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner

What’s next

The Avalanche will honor Burns' achievement with a special pregame ceremony before their next home game on April 6th.

The takeaway

Brent Burns' 1,000 consecutive games played is a testament to his professionalism, work ethic, and commitment to the sport of hockey. His durability and reliability have made him one of the most respected defensemen of his era.