Kyle Burroughs Bio
Kyle Burroughs is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League while under contract to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. The Vancouver, British Columbia native was selected 196th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and has since built a career spanning multiple NHL organizations. Burroughs has appeared in over 200 American Hockey League games and made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche in April 2021.
Early Life and Background
Kyle Burroughs was born on June 12, 1995, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He began his minor hockey career playing AAA bantam with the Langley Eagles. During the 2009–10 season, Burroughs served as associate captain and recorded 40 points in 33 games. He then established himself with the Valley West Hawks in the BC Hockey Major Midget League, where he was again named associate captain. While with the Valley West Hawks, Burroughs earned recognition as a BCMML All-Star.
During the 2010–11 season, Burroughs earned a call-up to the Aldergrove Kodiaks in the Pacific Junior Hockey League while also joining the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League. He had been drafted by the Pats 47th overall in the 2010 WHL Draft. Burroughs also represented Team BC at the 2011 Canada Winter Games, where he won a gold medal. Later that year, on November 21, 2011, he was selected to play for Team Pacific at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.
Path to Professional Hockey
Burroughs joined the Regina Pats for his first full season in major junior hockey during the 2011–12 campaign. He made his WHL season debut on September 28, 2011, against the Medicine Hat Tigers, helping the Pats win their third straight game to start the season. Leading up to the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Burroughs was ranked 206th among North American skaters. However, due to a breakout season, he moved up to 133rd by April 2013.
On March 15, 2013, Burroughs was awarded the Charles Johnston Memorial Award as the Pats top defenseman after leading the teams defensemen in points. Later that year, he was drafted in the seventh round, 196th overall, by the New York Islanders. On September 23, 2013, Burroughs was named captain of the Pats as a replacement for Colton Jobke. During the 2013–14 season, Burroughs suffered a concussion as the result of a hit but still recorded a new career high in goals and assists, earning him his second consecutive Charles Johnston Memorial Award.
Kyle Burroughs Career
New York Islanders Organization (2014–2020)
After the Pats season ended in 2014, Burroughs played nine games with the Islanders AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He attended the Islanders Development Camp prior to the 2014–15 season but was returned to the Pats. On January 5, 2015, Burroughs and Dryden Hunt were traded to the Medicine Hat Tigers in exchange for Connor Hobbs and future draft picks. While playing with the Tigers in the 2015 WHL playoffs, Burroughs signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Islanders on April 8, 2015.
Burroughs began the 2015–16 season, his first full professional campaign, with the Islanders ECHL affiliate, the Missouri Mavericks. He played 18 games there, recording seven points, before being recalled to the AHL. He recorded his first AHL point on January 1, 2016, with an assist against the Springfield Thunderbirds. During his rookie season with the Sound Tigers, Burroughs recorded 10 points in 31 regular season games while playing on both the second powerplay unit and penalty kill.
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2016–2020)
Burroughs was reassigned to the Sound Tigers for the 2016–17 season after attending Islanders training camp. He ended the season with new career highs in goals, assists, and penalty minutes. On March 30, 2017, Burroughs was named the Sound Tigers AHL Man of the Year for his work in the community and with charities. He would earn this honor again on March 29, 2018, after leading the team with a plus-16 rating and setting new career highs in goals and points.
Prior to the 2018–19 season, Burroughs was named a co-captain for the Sound Tigers alongside Ben Holmstrom. He served as captain whenever Holmstrom was out of the lineup. On November 12, 2018, Burroughs was suspended for one game due to a high-sticking incident against the Providence Bruins. A few days later on November 17, he played in his 200th AHL game. On July 16, 2018, Burroughs signed a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Islanders.
Colorado Avalanche (2021–2022)
On October 11, 2020, Burroughs was traded by the Islanders to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for A.J. Greer. After attending the Avalanche training camp leading into the delayed 2020–21 season, Burroughs was placed on waivers and upon clearing was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles, on January 10, 2021. Burroughs made his NHL debut on April 5, 2021, in a 5–4 win against the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. Two days later, he recorded his first NHL point, an assist to a goal by Andre Burakovsky. He finished the season with one assist through five regular season games with the Avalanche.
Vancouver Canucks (2021–2023)
As a free agent following his successful stint with the Colorado Avalanche, Burroughs signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks on July 28, 2021. He scored his first NHL goal on November 19, 2021, in Vancouver’s 3–2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Burroughs split time between the Canucks and their AHL affiliate, contributing solid defensive play and veteran experience to the organization.
San Jose Sharks (2023–2024)
On July 1, 2023, Burroughs signed as a free agent with the San Jose Sharks on a three-year, $3.3 million contract. He played one season with the Sharks organization before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings on June 27, 2024, in exchange for Carl Grundstrom.
Los Angeles Kings (2024–Present)
Burroughs joined the Los Angeles Kings organization in June 2024, bringing his veteran defensive presence and AHL experience to the Kings roster. He continues to play for the Ontario Reign, the Kings AHL affiliate, while being under contract with the NHL club. His career has been marked by consistent defensive play, leadership qualities demonstrated through multiple captaincy roles, and community involvement recognized through multiple AHL Man of the Year awards.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burroughs is known as a steady, reliable defenseman who plays a sound positional game. His strengths include strong puck-moving ability, effective penalty-killing skills, and the leadership qualities demonstrated through his multiple co-captaincy and captaincy roles at both the junior and AHL levels. His plus-minus rating improvements throughout his AHL career reflect his responsible two-way play and ability to contribute to team success while limiting opponent scoring chances.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Burroughs career include his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche in April 2021, scoring his first NHL goal against the Winnipeg Jets later that same year, and earning AHL Man of the Year honors twice with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. His gold medal performance with Team BC at the 2011 Canada Winter Games and his selection to represent Team Pacific at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge highlighted his early promise as a national-level defenseman.
Kyle Burroughs Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career, Burroughs has accumulated significant AHL experience while also appearing in NHL games. He is recognized for his longevity at the AHL level and his ability to transition between the AHL and NHL throughout his career.
Career Highlights
Burroughs career highlights include winning the Charles Johnston Memorial Award twice as the WHLs top defenseman with the Regina Pats. In the AHL, he earned Man of the Year honors twice with the Sound Tigers. His professional career spans over 200 AHL games, and he reached the milestone of 200 AHL games played in November 2018. He scored his first NHL goal during the 2021–22 season with the Vancouver Canucks.
Kyle Burroughs Family
Public information regarding Kyle Burroughs family background, including his parents, spouse, or children, is not widely available. Burroughs maintains a private personal life away from the public spotlight while focusing on his professional hockey career.
2025 Season Performance
As Kyle Burroughs enters the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Kings organization, he continues to serve as a veteran presence on the Ontario Reign blueline. His experience accumulated across multiple NHL organizations provides valuable depth and stability to the Kings defensive corps. Burroughs solid positional play and leadership qualities make him a reliable option for the Reign as they compete in the AHL Pacific Division. His three-year contract runs through the 2025–26 season, providing organizational continuity and a known commodity on the back end.