最新杏吧原创

鈥淚鈥檓 going to be playing against some big boys next year,鈥� Burns said. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to need some weight.鈥�

At Blues development camp last week, it didn鈥檛 take long for the defenseman鈥檚 work to show itself.

On Wednesday, he checked fellow defenseman Adam Jiricek during a drill, which he followed by sending forward Antoine Dorion to the ice in another drill.

The physicality was nothing new for Burns. He鈥檚 reached triple digits in penalty minutes over the past three seasons with the OHL鈥檚 Kingston Frontenacs. But for the scrappy defenseman, his propensity to tussle with opponents required an increase in strength, which Burns said he needed to accomplish leading up to next season.

鈥淚 feel like everyone says that,鈥� Burns said regarding getting physically stronger, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 what you need to do to get to the next level.鈥�

In recent years, the Blues have loaded up on defensemen in the NHL draft, taking 11 of them from 2022-24. Burns, a third-round pick two years ago, has spent the past four seasons with the Frontenacs. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues last August and will likely see time with the AHL鈥檚 Springfield (Massachusetts) Thunderbirds this season.

鈥淛ust trying to show them that you鈥檙e willing to get better,鈥� Burns said of what he wanted to take away from the development camp, 鈥渁nd take things away from what they鈥檙e saying.鈥�

Playing in his home province of Ontario, Burns improved his goals, assists and points in each of his four seasons with Kingston. The plus-minus from 2023-24 to this past season was especially notable: After tallying a minus-19 two seasons ago, he was a plus-45 in 2024-25.

Part of the leap involved the Frontenacs winning seven more games than they did two seasons ago and making the OHL鈥檚 Eastern Conference semifinals. But Burns certainly helped catalyze the turnaround with elite defense and supplementary offense. His plus-45 during the regular season was the best on the team.

The Frontenacs relied heavily on Burns from the get-go, as he was named the team鈥檚 captain prior to the season.

鈥淗e has a lot of leadership qualities, so that really helps in the growth and maturity, pushing other guys,鈥� Blues assistant general manager Tim Taylor said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 another guy who鈥檚 going to turn pro this year and hopefully has a good camp. Obviously (in) Springfield, we鈥檙e looking for him to play well there.鈥�

While he spent ample time in the penalty box once again, Burns鈥� 100 penalty minutes in the regular season were a decrease from the previous two campaigns.

His physicality with Jiricek and Dorion during drills could be a prelude to what Burns will experience in the AHL with Springfield.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to have to shoulder-check, especially moving on to the next level,鈥� Burns said. 鈥淓verything鈥檚 that much quicker.鈥�

The hope for Burns 鈥� and many of the Blues鈥� young defensemen 鈥� is that they can contribute sooner rather than later, as many of the key defenseman now are older. Colton Parayko (32), Justin Faulk (33) and Cam Fowler (33) are each entering their mid-30s.

The Blues already have gotten a good look at Phillip Broberg, Tyler Tucker and Matthew Kessel, each of whom played in the NHL last season. Plus, they have a stockpile of young defensemen waiting in the wings, including first-round picks Jiricek and Theo Lindstein.

The pathway to the NHL is clear for Burns and 最新杏吧原创鈥� other young defensemen. Heading into next season, Burns will hope his trajectory keeps climbing in Massachusetts.

鈥淚鈥檓 ready to take the next step,鈥� Burns said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been working hard, and the next time they see me at training camp, I鈥檒l be even better and bigger.鈥�