How to Win Fans, by Brent Burns
by Ivano M on Sep 10, 2011 12:00 PM PDT
in Sharks News
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How does one build a following of fans before playing a single shift for his NHL team? New San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns is showing just how it's done.
If you're following Burns on Twitter, you know that he loves riding a bike and goes riding on a regular basis in the summer. It is certainly one big advantage of being traded to San Jose Sharks - Northern California is one of the most bike friendly areas in the world, with plenty of trails and the weather that allows bikers to ride all year around. Brent Burns is biking to get ready for the season, "to shed a couple more pounds" as he told the bikers this morning. New hockey seasons starts next Friday with the training camp.
Last night Brent Burns made a last minute decision to invite the fans on Twitter to join him for a ride from Los Gatos up to Saratoga on Highway 9:
Eight bikers showed this morning up to join him. Few more, including myself, came by without a bike to say hello. Brent Burns was at the spot early, and ready go.
Ever since arriving to San Jose, Brent Burns embraced all that's good about the area. He's riding his bike on all the great trails, he took a tour of the Specialized factory in Morgan Hill, he went to Napa, and he's been eating at all the good restaurants South Bay has to offer. And he no doubt has the most entertaining Twitter feed on the Sharks.
NHL players are known to be very down to earth and approachable when compared to other pro athletes playing in the States. But inviting fans to join a bike ride is taking it to a whole new level. Our respect for the new Shark Brent Burns continues to grow, even before he played a single game or scored his first goal. It's no wonder the fans in Minnesota hated seeing him traded.
Having seen how Burns interacts with his fans after Captain's Ice, what he does in the community with his support of the troops, and how he is full of life just in general, there's no doubt he'll become a fan favorite in San Jose in no time.
And that's how it's done.
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Burns is extremly cool
i’ve been going to the Captains ice about 3 days a week (trying to get as much in before college starts back up) and burns is already a fan favorite there. he hangs out in the parking lot talking it up with fans asking for autographs. i remember one day he was sitting in his car waiting for Sheppard and Colin White. he takes a picture of all of us fan outside the dressing room and tells us “my mom is not gonna believe this, we dont get fans like in Minny” it was hilarious. cant wait to buy his jersey
by killershark408 on Sep 10, 2011 12:19 PM PDT reply actions
I #hope he can live up to #expectations.
by meetyourmako on Sep 10, 2011 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice write-up.
Burns’ Twitter account has made him one of my favorite Sharks in a matter of months. He seems genuinely thrilled to interact with the fans and he’s done a good job promoting his charitable works, too. Plus I think his bromance with Mike “Ninja” Potenza would make amazing TV.
Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!
by Auth0r on Sep 10, 2011 1:07 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions
BRENT BURNS!
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator !!
Sounds like a cool dude…
Next time he has a jigsaw puzzle get together we’ll be there!
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
It's not a mullet - more of a mop.
It’s not short in front – it’s long everywhere. He is having a contest with his old defensive partner on the Wild (Nick Schultz) to see who can go the longest without a haircut. I think they started it before the end of last season and it is still going. Check his Twitter feed – there are some pics of him without a hat.
"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever." Shane Falco
"The Sharks got the better deal. They got a Burns. The Wild lost a Burns. You need a Burns to be good." KFAN's Jacques Lemaire 6-25-2011
by minnesotagirl71 on Sep 12, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Seems like a super guy
Living in Los Gatos we tend to see a few sharks on a regular basis. My son was in Rob Blake’s boy’s class and played baseball with him. We’ve run in to Patty at the car wash.
Brent is quickly becoming a fixture around town. I’ve run in to him couple of times already. At the farmers market and at Mikes Bikes where he was quick to joke to Patty (who was also there) about the Team Canada shirt i was wearing at the time.
Seems like a really good guy. Very down to earth and approachable. If his play matches his demeanor, he will be a huge addition.
Was Patty buying training wheels?
Believing in the Sharks, one photoshop at a time. GO SHARKS!
by Auth0r on Sep 10, 2011 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
LOL!!!
"I love inside jokes. I'd love to be apart of one someday." - Michael Scott
My pathetic excuse of a Twitter account: http://twitter.com/santacruzsharks
by tealstherealdeal92 on Sep 10, 2011 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions
He just sort of hangs out there, all the time. Doesn’t buy anything, or say anything to the people working there. He’s just…there.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
Next Article: How to win fans, by James Sheppard
Ok seriously guys, who the fuck is james sheppard!
"I love inside jokes. I'd love to be apart of one someday." - Michael Scott
My pathetic excuse of a Twitter account: http://twitter.com/santacruzsharks
by tealstherealdeal92 on Sep 10, 2011 2:43 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
James Sheppard
is the fan.
Hockey is like a box of choclates. But not really, hockey is way better.
"Who throws an umbrella!?" - Randy Hahn.
by Pavsisaninja on Sep 10, 2011 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions
James Sheppard:
James Sheppard is like the guy in Mass Effect, excpet for the Sharks. When the Sharks are again faced with the inevitable threat of the post-season not ending with a shiny tin can, it’s up to James Sheppard to rally his team and save the Sharksiverse.
Either that or he’ll be a third liner in Woostater or whatever the fuck.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 10, 2011 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
hi
wish he would of done this in minn
by Suzy Barta Zinkovich on Sep 10, 2011 4:31 PM PDT reply actions
Minneapolis is a bike friendly city.
Burns lived in a suburb of St Paul. He biked here all the time, but wasn’t on Twitter in Minny. I think he may have been mobbed if he had invited the world to join him somewhere.
"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever." Shane Falco
"The Sharks got the better deal. They got a Burns. The Wild lost a Burns. You need a Burns to be good." KFAN's Jacques Lemaire 6-25-2011
by minnesotagirl71 on Sep 12, 2011 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Would HAVE dammit!!!!!!
Sorry, that makes me crazy!!
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Why you heff be mad?
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
If we all cared as much as Kent Huskins the world would be a better place.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
No Kidding!
When I saw that on his Twitter feed, I thought they were going to need to call the police for crowd control. A ton of people would have turned out to see/chat with him in Minny. (I’m not sure many would be able to keep up with him on a bike!)
"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory lasts forever." Shane Falco
"The Sharks got the better deal. They got a Burns. The Wild lost a Burns. You need a Burns to be good." KFAN's Jacques Lemaire 6-25-2011
by minnesotagirl71 on Sep 12, 2011 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Brent Burns is a lousy villian
But he’s a great hockey player!
"Now get on board going down the river float, we gonna raise a ruckus tonight" - OCMS
Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution
by Mr. Plank on Sep 10, 2011 5:56 PM PDT reply actions 5 recs
"So Brent, I understand you're fond of reptiles. What sorts of animals have you got?"
“Oh, you know, the usual. Snakes, geckos, chameleons, moniters, Charizard-”
“What was that last one?”
“Iguanas.”
“Right, well I wish you success on behalf of the Sharks’ fanbase.”
“Thanks. I really hope to set the West on fire this year.”
GO SHARKS GO.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 10, 2011 10:26 PM PDT reply actions
I could OF sworn that geckos were amphibians and I was about to pounce on that and give you shit, but I decided to look it up first and found out that they are in fact reptiles.
fml
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
If we all cared as much as Kent Huskins the world would be a better place.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
YER an amphibian.
Hurr hurr hurr.
But yeah, geckos are totally reptiles. They’re cool. Apparently in Australia, they’re kinda like mice in that they’ll come and chill in your house. I’d love that, coming home to see fancy lizards on the walls.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 11, 2011 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions
they make really cool noises too :P
"I love inside jokes. I'd love to be apart of one someday." - Michael Scott
My pathetic excuse of a Twitter account: http://twitter.com/santacruzsharks
by tealstherealdeal92 on Sep 11, 2011 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions
This Guy Will Be The Most Popular Shark Ever
When its all said and done Brent will be the best defenseman and the most popular player in the Sharks history. I have watched his career in Minny very carefully and the Sharks are very lucky to have traded for a great player and even a greater person
I dunno man...
What happens when Couture inherits top line centre?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 10, 2011 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
TEETH
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
If we all cared as much as Kent Huskins the world would be a better place.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
Can we start calling Couture Dr. Teeth? I’d love that.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
If we all cared as much as Kent Huskins the world would be a better place.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
by PNK on Sep 10, 2011 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
That expression is definitely a DERP.
KEEP THE FAITH- GO SHARKS!
Bleeding teal and black all the way from NY since '91.
My vices include Hockey, Cars, and Rock N Roll- some of the finest things in life.
Article should have been titled "How to make friends"
This is actually a brilliant move by Burns. How do you make friends when you’re a hockey player in a new city where you don’t really know anyone (except the people you work with)? Take it away Burnzie! The only bike i currently own is GT Dirt jumping BMX. That would have been reason enough for me to buy a bike- get outside and do something cool with other puck heads and sharks fans at that!
Burns seems like a rad guy. Totally stoked to have him in teal, and I can’t wait to see him play. I was wondering what jersey I should add to my list (so far next one is going to be a Thornton road jersey since i have a blank teal one)…looks like Burnzie just shot up in the rankings.
KEEP THE FAITH- GO SHARKS!
Bleeding teal and black all the way from NY since '91.
My vices include Hockey, Cars, and Rock N Roll- some of the finest things in life.
I'd have shown up in one of these if it meant meeting a Sharks player:
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Sep 12, 2011 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Give Tommy Wingels his bike back!
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"Take a deep breath sometimes, a break, and play some hockey. Hockey is a great way to take a pause from day-to-day hard work." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
by Soloact on Sep 12, 2011 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
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