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*leviadan* · 12-08-2023, 12:50 PM

I think it's fun to look back on Burlok's career because most people, myself included, would not have thought that he'd amount to much at the time of his drafting. He went a relatively unremarkable 22nd overall in the S52 SMJHL draft, early in the second round to Detroit. And despite a long and illustrious SHL career, you might be hard pressed to describe him as a steal at that point in the J draft. Burlok was not a particularly good juniors player. Detroit was a hell of a team, but because of that he found himself down on the depth chart logging third line minutes many nights, finding only 80 points over four full SMJHL seasons (200 GP). 29 goals, 51 assists. Not much to write home about if we're being honest. Even in the playoffs he wasn't particularly noticeable, with 16 points in 38 playoff games. While he was lucky enough to lift a cup-- he was a small part of a well built team that got the job done.

Which makes it surprising that he was of much value at all come the S53 SHL draft. But for whatever reason Texas management saw something in him, and he once again went early in the second round at 19th overall. With the gift of hindsight, this was probably the point you could say that a bet on Burlok really worked out. Given the little he achieved in the SMJHL, it was a pretty big swing to take him that early in the draft, but you can't argue with the results. For whatever reason, Burlok would really elevate his game at the SHL level and become a big difference maker over an 18 season career.

1172 games played, 4 Challenge Cups, 2 goal scoring titles, 2 Gold Medals, 1047 points-- Burlok achieved a legacy far better than you might expect of a second rounder. Not to mention someone with as mediocre of an SMJHL resume as he had.

Joining a Texas team on the upswing of a rebuild, it wasn't long before he was making a difference and contributing to a new winning culture. By S59, before the peak of his career, he'd be notching 30 goals and 61 points in a season on the way to his first cup. This one was hugely rewarding to win with a squad of Texas players that had toughed out a lot of hardship. It was their first win in nearly 30 seasons, and it meant a lot to bring it home. But that wasn't even the peak of Texas's new core, and come S62 it was time to really kick ass.

Burlok got 83 points in 66 games and his first 40 goal season en route to cup number 2. In the playoffs he earned a Razov nomination with 23 points in 24 games. He would also get a Dar nomination that off season for best defensive forward. It was a hell of a peak season for Burlok, but amazingly he had a couple of higher heights still to come. The very next season he would score 47 goals and get his first goal scoring title.

As he moved on to Atlanta in S64 during a management change in Texas, he would continue to be near the top of the league, recording over a PPG for two more seasons and earning his second scoring title in S65 with 46 goals. One season later he would take on a more secondary role on the team, providing depth for Atlanta's first cup in history and securing his third Challenge Cup overall. He performed well in those playoffs with 18 points in 21 games.

His age was starting to show as his decline really began in S67 falling off to only 49 points that season. Atlanta wouldn't have room for him much longer and he'd move on to New England to provide veteran depth for their peaking squad. A four season run there would see him break the 1000 games played barrier while hovering a bit below a PPG pace, and his steady presence in the bottom six would help NEW secure the S70 Challenge Cup early in their window.

In S72, 20 seasons after his pro career began, he'd find himself back in Texas where he would finish off his time in hockey. He would reach his 1000 points scored milestone with the team that drafted him, and even enjoy a final season renaissance to record 61 points in 66 games, one of his best seasons since S65. After a final brief playoff run, he would retire a Renegade, just as he started.