Pavel Bure

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Selected 113th overall in the 1989 NHL entry draft by Vancouver, he began his NHL career in the 1991–92 season, and won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie before leading the NHL in goal-scoring in 1993–94 and helping the Canucks to the 1994 Stanley Cup Final. After seven seasons the Canucks traded Bure to the Panthers, where he won back-to-back Rocket Richard Trophies as the league's leading goal-scorer. Bure struggled with knee injuries throughout his career, resulting in his retirement in 2005 as a member of the Rangers, although he had not played since 2003. He averaged better than a point per game in his NHL career (779 points with 437 goals in 702 NHL games) and is fourth all-time in goals per game. After six years of eligibility, Bure was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in June 2012. In 2017, an NHL panel named Bure one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.

In Their Own Story

The salary records reveal a distinct trajectory for Pavel Bure's earnings. In the 1994–95 lockout-shortened season, which saw players earn only about 56% of their predicted salaries, Bure received $2.61 million while with the Vancouver Canucks, down from a predicted $4.5 million. By 1995–96, he returned to full earning potential with a $4.5 million salary in Vancouver. His career took a significant financial turn in 1997–98 when he was listed as a top earner with the Florida Panthers at $5.5 million, surpassing his previous Vancouver totals. The most lucrative years of his career arrived between 2001 and 2004. In 2001–02, playing for the Florida Panthers/New York Rangers, he secured $10 million. He maintained this figure in 2002–03 with the New York Rangers and again in 2003–04, though his team affiliation had shifted to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim by then.

Reader's Guide

Bure was born in Moscow in 1971 to Vladimir and Tatiana Bure. His father, a Russian swimming legend, had dreams of Pavel becoming a professional swimmer, but he aspired to play hockey at an early age. He attended his first tryout with the CSKA Moscow hockey school at age six. By age 11, he was named the best forward in his league. At age 12, his parents separated, and he remained with his mother. By age 14, he was named to the Central Red Army's junior team. In 1991, he joined his father and brother Valeri in moving to North America as he embarked on an NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks. Internationally, Bure competed for the Soviet Union and Russia, winning silver and gold at World Junior Championships, gold and silver at World Championships, and silver at the 1998 Olympics and bronze at the 2002 Olympics. After retirement, he was named general manager for Russia's national team at the 2006 Winter Olympics. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2012.

Did You Know?

• Bure was nicknamed "the Russian Rocket" for his exceptional speed and skill.
• He was selected 113th overall in the 1989 NHL entry draft by the Vancouver Canucks.
• Bure won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie in the 1991–92 season.
• He led the NHL in goal-scoring in 1993–94 and won back-to-back Rocket Richard Trophies with the Florida Panthers.
• Bure was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in June 2012 after six years of eligibility.