André Burakovsky Bio
André Burakovsky is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who serves as a forward for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League. Born on February 9, 1995, in Klagenfurt, Austria, Burakovsky was selected 23rd overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He has established himself as a reliable two-way forward across multiple NHL organizations, earning recognition for his offensive instincts and playmaking ability. Burakovsky has won the Stanley Cup twice, first with the Capitals in 2018 and again with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. He has represented Sweden at the international level, including participation in the 2024 IIHF World Championship where he earned a bronze medal.
Early Life and Background
Burakovsky was born in Klagenfurt in southern Austria where his father, Robert Burakovsky, was playing professional ice hockey at the time. He grew up in Malmö, Sweden, which is his father’s hometown. His father, Robert Burakovsky, was drafted 217th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play 23 games with the Ottawa Senators during the 1993-94 season. His mother is Pernilla Burakovsky. Burakovsky has two sisters, Alexandra and Anna. He is of Russian-Jewish descent and his cousin, Samuel Burakovsky, is a professional footballer for Landskrona BoIS in the Swedish second division.
Growing up in a hockey family provided Burakovsky with early exposure to the sport. His father’s career path influenced his development and provided him with valuable insights into professional hockey from a young age. The family connection to the sport created a natural pathway for Burakovsky to pursue hockey seriously from an early age.
Path to Professional Hockey
Burakovsky began his professional career at just 16 years old during the 2011-12 season with Malmö Redhawks of HockeyAllsvenskan, one of Sweden’s second-tier professional leagues. This early exposure to professional competition accelerated his development and caught the attention of scouts. Prior to his professional debut, he was selected in the third round (102nd overall) by SKA Saint Petersburg in the 2012 KHL Junior Draft, demonstrating his potential on the international radar.
His exceptional performance with Malmö Redhawks and at international tournaments led to his selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The Washington Capitals chose him with the 23rd overall pick, recognizing his combination of size, skill, and hockey sense. Following his draft, Burakovsky continued his development by joining the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League for the 2013-14 season, where he refined his North American game before turning professional.
André Burakovsky Career
Washington Capitals (2014–2019)
Burakovsky signed his entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals on September 4, 2013, and made his NHL debut on October 9, 2014. He scored his first NHL goal in his debut game against Dustin Tokarski of the Montreal Canadiens. Remarkably, he became the second-fastest Capitals player to score their first career goal and the 13th player in franchise history to score in their NHL debut. This immediate impact signaled his readiness for top-level professional hockey.
During the 2015-16 season, Burakovsky appeared in 79 games, recording 17 goals and 21 assists, demonstrating consistent offensive contribution. On January 22, 2017, he accomplished a remarkable feat by scoring the game’s first goal for the fourth consecutive game, tying an NHL record for the most consecutive team games scoring the opening goal. The last player to achieve this was Jonathan Cheechoo during the 2007-08 season.
On July 4, 2017, Burakovsky signed a two-year, $6 million contract extension with the Capitals. During the 2017-18 season, he suffered a thumb injury in October that required surgery and caused him to miss approximately two months. He returned in December after missing 20 games. In the 2018 playoffs, he was sidelined early in the first round against the Columbus Blue Jackets and missed 10 playoff games. Upon his return, he struggled initially but delivered a pivotal performance in Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring two goals to help send the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Final. The Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, earning Burakovsky his first Stanley Cup championship on June 7, 2018.
Colorado Avalanche (2019–2022)
On June 28, 2019, the Capitals traded Burakovsky to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Scott Kosmachuk and draft picks. He signed a one-year, $3.25 million qualifying offer on July 15, 2019, and made his Avalanche debut on October 3, 2019, against the Calgary Flames. Burakovsky seized the opportunity for an increased offensive role, securing a spot among the top six forwards. He reached the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career and finished third on the team in scoring with a career-high 45 points through 58 games.
On February 4, 2020, Burakovsky recorded a career-high four points (one goal, three assists) in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. Although he missed 13 games due to injury during the regular season, he returned for the playoffs and made a significant impact with seven goals and 17 points in just 15 post-season games. He contributed two points in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals, though the Avalanche fell to the Dallas Stars in overtime.
On October 10, 2020, as a restricted free agent, Burakovsky signed a two-year, $9.8 million contract extension with the Avalanche. During the 2020-21 season, he continued in his second-line role alongside Nazem Kadri and Brandon Saad. He celebrated his 400th NHL appearance on February 26, 2021, and reached his 100th career goal on May 10, 2021, against the Vegas Golden Knights. He finished the season with 19 goals and 44 points through 53 games as the Avalanche won the Presidents’ Trophy.
On December 12, 2021, Burakovsky scored his first career hat trick in a game against the Florida Panthers at Ball Arena. In the 2022 playoffs, he contributed as the Avalanche advanced through three rounds to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years. Although he suffered an injury while shot-blocking that caused him to miss two games, he returned for Game 1 of the Finals and scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He added another goal in Game 2 before sustaining a broken thumb that kept him out of the lineup for the remainder of the series. The Avalanche defeated the Lightning in six games, earning Burakovsky his second Stanley Cup championship.
Seattle Kraken (2022–2025)
Following his contract with the Avalanche, Burakovsky became a free agent and signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Seattle Kraken on July 13, 2022. This marked a significant commitment from the franchise and positioned him as a key part of their core group. He began the 2022-23 season with the Kraken but suffered a season-ending injury on February 7 against the New York Islanders. He tore his groin muscle during the game and experienced rehabilitation setbacks that ended his season prematurely.
Burakovsky returned to the Kraken roster for the 2023-24 season but played only six games before suffering another injury. The injuries limited his ability to establish chemistry with his new team and contribute consistently. Despite the challenges, the Kraken maintained confidence in his ability to contribute once healthy.
Chicago Blackhawks (2025)
At the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, his third with the Kraken, Burakovsky was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on June 21, 2025, in exchange for Joe Veleno. This move represented a fresh start with an Original Six franchise with a rich history of successful forwards.
Ottawa Senators (2026–present)
On June 26, 2026, after only one season with the Blackhawks, Burakovsky was sent to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round draft pick. This trade created a historic family connection, as his father, Robert Burakovsky, had played 23 games with the Senators during the 1993-94 season. André and Robert Burakovsky became the second father-son duo in Senators franchise history, joining Daniel and Dany Heatley (though Dany was not the same player as Daniel). This unique family legacy added a memorable chapter to Burakovsky’s NHL journey.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burakovsky is known as a versatile forward with good size at 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds. He possesses strong offensive instincts and playmaking ability, with the capacity to contribute in various situations. His left-shot skill set and two-way awareness allow him to play effectively in top-six minutes. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to score clutch goals in high-pressure moments, including multiple Game 7 performances and overtime goals in the Stanley Cup Finals. His experience winning at the highest level has contributed to his reputation as a reliable playoff performer.
Notable Events and Milestones
Burakovsky’s career has been marked by several significant achievements. He became just the 13th player in Capitals franchise history to score in his NHL debut and tied an NHL record by scoring the first goal in four consecutive games during the 2016-17 season. He scored his first career hat trick on December 12, 2021, against the Florida Panthers. His Game 7 performance in the 2018 Conference Final against Tampa Bay proved instrumental in sending the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup Final. In the 2022 Finals, he delivered the overtime game-winner in Game 1 against the Lightning. With two Stanley Cup championships and over 100 career goals, Burakovsky has established himself as a player who performs on the biggest stages.
André Burakovsky Career Wins
Throughout his NHL career, Burakovsky has accumulated significant team success while demonstrating consistent individual contributions across multiple organizations. His career trajectory has included pivotal roles on championship teams and scoring-line contributions on competitive clubs.
Stanley Cup Championships
Burakovsky won his first Stanley Cup championship with the Washington Capitals on June 7, 2018, when the Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games in the Finals. This victory marked the first Stanley Cup in Capitals franchise history. He contributed during the playoffs despite battling through injuries, most notably scoring two goals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His second championship came with the Colorado Avalanche on June 26, 2022, when the Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. Burakovsky scored the game-winning goal in overtime in Game 1 of the Finals and added another goal in Game 2 before being ruled out with a broken thumb. These two championships represent the pinnacle of his professional achievements to date.
International Achievements
At the international level, Burakovsky won a silver medal playing with Team Sweden at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships. He later represented Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, where he earned a bronze medal. These international performances have complemented his NHL success and demonstrated his ability to contribute for his national team.
André Burakovsky Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Burakovsky comes from a distinguished hockey family. His father, Robert Burakovsky, was drafted 217th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play professionally in Europe and briefly in the NHL with the Ottawa Senators during the 1993-94 season. Robert’s professional career and connections in the hockey world undoubtedly influenced André’s development and provided him with valuable guidance throughout his journey. The family hockey legacy continued when André joined the Senators in 2026, making them the second father-son duo in franchise history.
Personal Life
Burakovsky maintains connections to both Sweden and his Austrian birthplace. He grew up primarily in Malmö, Sweden, his father’s hometown, where he began developing his hockey skills. He is of Russian-Jewish descent through his family background. His cousin, Samuel Burakovsky, is a professional footballer playing for Landskrona BoIS in the Swedish second division, representing another branch of the family’s athletic achievements in team sports. During his time with the Capitals, Burakovsky spoke publicly about working with a sports psychologist to address his tendency to dwell on negative moments, demonstrating his commitment to mental performance alongside physical preparation.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season marked Burakovsky’s third campaign with the Seattle Kraken following his lucrative five-year signing in 2022. Unfortunately, his tenure with the Kraken was plagued by injuries, as he appeared in only a limited number of games across the previous two seasons. The injuries prevented him from establishing the consistent offensive contributions the organization had anticipated when signing him to a significant contract. Despite these setbacks, Burakovsky continued working to return to form and contribute meaningfully to the team.
Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, the Kraken made the decision to trade Burakovsky to the Chicago Blackhawks on June 21, 2025. This move provided Burakovsky with an opportunity for a fresh start with an Original Six franchise known for developing skilled forwards. The trade ended his association with Seattle after three seasons that were largely defined by injury adversity rather than the on-ice success both parties had envisioned.
Looking ahead, Burakovsky’s career trajectory continued to evolve when he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in June 2026. The opportunity to play for the same franchise where his father had played added a unique personal dimension to his career. With his championship experience and proven playoff performance, Burakovsky aims to contribute to the Senators’ development while continuing to add to his professional accomplishments. His ability to stay healthy and maintain consistent production will be key factors in determining his impact with his new organization.