André Burakovsky Bio
André Burakovsky is a Swedish professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. Born on 9 February 1995 in Klagenfurt, Austria, he was selected 23rd overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Burakovsky is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, having won with the Capitals in 2018 and with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 203 pounds, the left-shooting forward has built a reputation as a skilled playmaker across multiple organizations.
Over the course of his career, Burakovsky has suited up for the Washington Capitals, the Colorado Avalanche, the Seattle Kraken, and now the Chicago Blackhawks. Internationally, he has represented Sweden at the highest levels of competition, including the 2024 IIHF World Championship. He continues to be recognized as one of Sweden’s most experienced NHL forwards of his generation.
Early Life and Background
André Burakovsky was born on 9 February 1995 in Klagenfurt, a city in southern Austria, where his father Robert Burakovsky was playing professional ice hockey at the time. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to Malmö, Sweden, his father’s hometown, where André was raised and where his passion for hockey first took shape. Growing up in a hockey household gave him early and consistent exposure to the game, training alongside family members who understood the demands of professional competition.
His father, Robert Burakovsky, was drafted 217th overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play 23 games with the Ottawa Senators during the 1993–94 season. His mother, Pernilla Burakovsky, raised André alongside his two sisters, Alexandra and Anna. André is of Russian-Jewish descent and has often spoken about the influence of his parents on his approach to the sport.
Path to Hockey
Burakovsky’s progression through Sweden’s development system was swift. He made his professional debut during the 2011–12 season with the Malmö Redhawks of HockeyAllsvenskan at just 16 years of age, becoming one of the youngest players to appear in Sweden’s second-tier professional league. That same year, he earned a silver medal with Team Sweden at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, establishing himself among the top Swedish prospects of his age group.
In 2012, he was selected in the third round, 102nd overall, by SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL Junior Draft, signaling his appeal across European leagues. His North American breakthrough came the following year when the Washington Capitals selected him 23rd overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. After agreeing to a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals on 4 September 2013, he was assigned to the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League for the 2013–14 season to continue his development.
André Burakovsky Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Burakovsky’s early professional years were spent splitting time between Sweden and North America. With the Malmö Redhawks, he gained valuable minutes against grown men as a teenager, learning the physical and tactical side of the professional game. His performance with the Erie Otters in 2013–14 gave the Capitals confidence that he was ready for the NHL pace.
His transition from European junior hockey to the North American style was smooth, and his skill set impressed the Capitals’ development staff. By the end of the 2013–14 OHL season, Burakovsky was considered one of the most NHL-ready prospects in Washington’s pipeline.
Washington Capitals Breakthrough (2014–2019)
Burakovsky made an immediate impact with the Capitals, scoring his first NHL goal in his debut on 9 October 2014, against Dustin Tokarski of the Montreal Canadiens. That goal made him the second-fastest Capitals player to score his first NHL career goal, as well as the 13th Capitals player to score in his NHL debut. During the 2015–16 season, he appeared in 79 games and produced 17 goals and 21 assists, confirming his offensive potential.
On 22 January 2017, against the Dallas Stars, Burakovsky scored the game’s first goal for the fourth consecutive game, tying an NHL record previously held by Jonathan Cheechoo during the 2007–08 season. After agreeing to a two-year, $6 million contract on 4 July 2017, he battled injuries but returned to play a key role in the 2017–18 playoffs. After missing 10 games and struggling upon his return, he scored two goals in Game 7 against Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning to help send the Capitals to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. He won the Stanley Cup on 7 June 2018 after the Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games, claiming the first championship of his career.
Colorado Avalanche Era (2019–2022)
On 28 June 2019, Burakovsky was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Scott Kosmachuk and draft considerations. He accepted a one-year, $3.25 million qualifying offer on 15 July 2019 and made his Avalanche debut on 3 October 2019 against the Calgary Flames. Promoted to a top-six forward role, he reached 20 goals for the first time in his career and finished third on the team in scoring with a career-high 45 points through 58 games. In the postseason, he tallied seven goals and 17 points in only 15 playoff games before Colorado was eliminated in overtime of Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals by the Dallas Stars.
On 10 October 2020, he signed a two-year, $9.8 million contract extension. He made his 400th NHL appearance on 26 February 2021 and collected his 100th career goal on 10 May 2021 against the Vegas Golden Knights. On 12 December 2021, he scored his first career hat trick against the Florida Panthers at Ball Arena. After suffering a broken thumb in the 2022 playoffs, he returned for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final and scored the overtime game-winner against Andrei Vasilevskiy. He won his second Stanley Cup on 26 June 2022 after the Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games.
Seattle Kraken Era (2022–2025)
Burakovsky signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Seattle Kraken on 13 July 2022 as a free agent. He played the first half of the 2022–23 season before suffering a torn groin muscle on 7 February 2023 against the New York Islanders, ending his season. He returned for the 2023–24 season but managed only six games before another injury cut his campaign short.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2025–Present)
At the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, his third with the Kraken, Burakovsky was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Joe Veleno on 21 June 2025. The move gave him a fresh opportunity with a young, rebuilding franchise looking to add veteran scoring and playoff experience to its forward group.
Driving Style and Strengths
Burakovsky is recognized for his smooth skating, soft hands, and creativity in the offensive zone. He excels as a playmaker with the ability to finish, particularly when deployed on the wing of a top-six forward line. His combination of size, vision, and shot-blocking willingness has made him a reliable two-way contributor when healthy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of his career, Burakovsky’s two-goal performance in Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals against Tampa Bay and his overtime winner in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final stand out as defining moments. He also tied an NHL record by scoring the first goal in four consecutive team games during the 2016–17 season and registered his first career hat trick in December 2021.
André Burakovsky Career Wins
André Burakovsky has won two Stanley Cup championships during his NHL career, first with the Washington Capitals in 2018 and then with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. He has also earned international recognition with Sweden, including a bronze medal at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. His offensive résumé includes a 100th career NHL goal and a 400th career NHL game, both reached while with the Avalanche.
NHL Highlights
Burakovsky’s most memorable NHL moments include his first NHL goal on debut in October 2014, his two-goal Game 7 against Tampa Bay in 2018, his first career hat trick in December 2021, and his overtime game-winner in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final. He reached 100 career goals on 10 May 2021 and played his 400th NHL game on 26 February 2021, both milestones with the Avalanche.
Other Wins and Performances
Burakovsky represented Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championship, contributing to a bronze medal finish. Earlier in his career, he captured a silver medal at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships while playing with Team Sweden.
André Burakovsky Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
André Burakovsky comes from a hockey family with deep roots in Sweden and Austria. His father, Robert Burakovsky, was drafted 217th overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and appeared in 23 games for the Ottawa Senators in 1993–94. His mother, Pernilla Burakovsky, supported the family’s hockey journey across Europe. André has two sisters, Alexandra and Anna, and a cousin, Samuel Burakovsky, who plays professional football for Landskrona BoIS in the Swedish second division. He is of Russian-Jewish descent.
Personal Life
Born in Klagenfurt, Austria, Burakovsky grew up primarily in Malmö, Sweden, where he still spends time during the off-season. His upbringing across two countries shaped his international perspective on the game and helped him transition smoothly between European and North American hockey styles.
2025 Season Performance
Burakovsky’s 2024–25 campaign was spent with the Seattle Kraken, his third season with the franchise. After battling injuries in his first two years in Seattle, he returned to a more consistent role during the 2024–25 season. On 21 June 2025, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Joe Veleno, officially beginning a new chapter of his career.
As he joins the Blackhawks, Burakovsky brings playoff pedigree, two Stanley Cup rings, and veteran scoring touch to a roster in the midst of a rebuild. His contract with Chicago, which runs through the 2026–27 season, makes him one of the most experienced players in the locker room. Health will be a key factor for the 2025–26 season, given his injury history over the past three years.
Looking ahead, Burakovsky is expected to slot into a top-six forward role with the Blackhawks, providing leadership and creativity on the power play. His ability to contribute offensively while mentoring younger teammates will be closely watched as Chicago continues its long-term competitive build.
