Kyle Burroughs Signs with Dallas Stars, Deepening Avalanche Rivalry

Kyle Burroughs’ journey through the NHL has taken an unexpected turn, as he now finds himself donning the colors of the Dallas Stars—a franchise that has long been a nemesis of the Colorado Avalanche. The Stars announced Thursday that they have signed Burroughs to a one-year, two-way contract, adding a physical defenseman with experience and a connection to the Avalanche organization.

For fans in Colorado, Burroughs is a familiar face. He was acquired in a 2020 trade that sent forward A.J. Greer to the New York Islanders, with the Avalanche looking to bolster their prospect pool. His determination and skill during training camp earned him a spot on the roster, leading to his NHL debut on April 5, 2021, against the Minnesota Wild. In that game, he helped Colorado secure a thrilling 5-4 victory, and just two nights later, he registered his first career point with an assist on an André Burakovsky goal.

Though Burroughs’ time with the Avalanche was brief, consisting of just five games, it marked a significant achievement for a player who had to fight for his spot after being selected in the seventh round of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Islanders. Following his stint in Colorado, Burroughs signed with the Vancouver Canucks in 2021, where he continued to carve out a role defined by physicality, toughness, and reliability.

Now 30 years old, Burroughs has played in 201 NHL games across stints with the Avalanche, Canucks, San Jose Sharks, and Los Angeles Kings, accumulating 22 points while establishing himself as a trusted player during challenging moments. His contributions often shine brightest away from the scoresheet; throughout his career, he has recorded 572 hits and 293 blocked shots, including an impressive 233 hits during the 2023-24 season with the Sharks, placing him among the league leaders.

Last season saw Burroughs primarily competing with the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the Kings, where he notched seven points (one goal and six assists) in 18 games, achieving a career-high scoring rate of 0.39 points per game in the AHL.

The addition of Burroughs is a strategic move for a Dallas team seeking to enhance its defensive depth. Stars general manager Jim Nill expressed enthusiasm about the signing, stating, “We are happy to welcome Kyle and his family to the Stars organization. Kyle is a player that we know can bring a physical element to the ice and will provide our defensive core with some added depth.”

This latest acquisition adds an intriguing layer to the storied rivalry between the Avalanche and Stars. Over the years, these two teams have engaged in numerous memorable battles, particularly in the playoffs, shaping the competitive landscape of the Western Conference. While Burroughs may not be expected to play a pivotal role against his former team, he now finds himself on the opposing side of a rivalry he once observed from the Avalanche’s locker room.

For Burroughs, this represents yet another chance to demonstrate that he belongs in the NHL. For Avalanche fans, it serves as a poignant reminder of the players who have passed through Colorado’s system on their way to establishing longer-term roles elsewhere.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.