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.

Brent Burns has the impressive Ironman streak — 925 games and counting — the majestic beard and the individual accolades.