SAN JOSE - The San Jose Sharks ( @SanJoseSharks ) announced that defenseman Brent Burns ( @Burnzie88 ) has been named a finalist for the NHL Foundation Award. The NHL Foundation Player Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League player "who applies the core values of (ice) hockey-commitment, perseverance and teamwork-to enrich the lives of people in his community."

Burns was also named a finalist for the award in 2013-14. To date, no Sharks player has won the award.Defending The Blue Line is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports military families by ensuring the children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in the game of hockey. Burns has supported Defending The Blue Line since the organization was founded in 2009 while he was a member of the Minnesota Wild, and continued to stay heavily involved with Defending The Blue Line after joining the San Jose Sharks. This season, Brent was awarded the California Commendation Medal for his service with Defending the Blue Line-- an honor typically reserved for active military members.Along with being a strident advocate for Defending the Blue Line, Burns supports the military in a variety of ways including donating suite tickets to military families for every San Jose Sharks home game and having proceeds from the Sharks Foundation's Veteran's Day Jersey Auction benefit Folds of Honor - which provides scholarships for family members of injured and/or deceased military men and women.On a local level, Burns has assisted the Sharks Foundation, which offers unique resources and financial support to organizations that enhance the lives of local youth and families, in a variety of ways. He has participated in many community events over the course of the 2014-15 season which include:

Raised over $15,000 by shaving his head and beard in the second annual Burnzie's Buzz Cut for Charity - bringing the total raised through the fundraiser to nearly $40,000

Helped the Sharks Foundation raise over $80,000 by participating in the Sharks Foundation Golf Classic

Participated in the Sharks annual "Hockey Fights Cancer" Awareness Night by hosting individuals through Kaiser Hospital and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society post game

Participated in a Spring hospital visit at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara

Participated in the Sharks Foundation’s Holiday Assist program – providing a local family in need with gifts, food and other essentials during the holiday season

Helped the Sharks Foundation raise over $120,000 at the annual Sampling with the Sharks wine tasting event - $24,000 of which came from a Live Auction package Brent crafted consisting of a day in Wine Country with he and his wife, Susan

Participated in the Sharks and Strikes bowling event to help raise nearly $50,000 for the Sharks Foundation. In February 2014, Brent helped raise more than $62,000 and collect close to 1,000 pieces of hockey equipment through a Skate for the Troops event

In February 2014, Brent helped raise more than $62,000 and collect close to 1,000 pieces of hockey equipment through a Skate for the Troops event

Participates in Make-A-Wish and Dream Foundation visits including the "Shark for a Day" event in which 18-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient Sam Tageson was given the opportunity to be a part of the Sharks morning skate, take several behind-the-scenes tours, skate through the Shark Head for introductions, and be announced as part of the starting lineup

Provision of autographed items to many youth-related causes (fundraising initiatives)

Always quick to attend meet and greets with children and other fans following games

Thousands of additional dollars donated through other charitable efforts (Gongshow Gear clothing, Extra Life video game play, etc...)

Participation to promote equality in sports through "You Can Play"

Honored by the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squad with a flag that was flown during combat and a certificate in May 2014

On the ice, Burns' return to the defensive position led him to posting a career year in numerous categories. In 82 games Burns posted 60 points (17 goals, 43 assists), setting a career-high in assists (43) and points (60). Burns finished the year ranked 4th league-wide amongst defensemen in goals (17), T-4th in assists (43), T-2nd in points (60), and 3rd in shots (245).Burns was also elected to represent the San Jose Sharks at the 2015 All-Star Game. In addition, he was named "Sharks Player of the Month" for March after ranking T-1st on the team in points (10) during the month and pacing the team with 10 assists in 13 games.The native of Barrie, ON was originally selected by Minnesota in the first round (20th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by San Jose via trade on June 24, 2011.