André Burakovsky
A skilled Swedish winger whose clutch playoff performances were instrumental in securing two different franchises their first-ever Stanley Cup championships.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Swedish ice hockey player·Birthday: February 9·Millennials
Biography
André Burakovsky's NHL journey is a story of sublime skill meeting pivotal moments. Drafted by Washington, the smooth-skating Swede with a lethal shot often showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency in the regular season. When the playoffs arrived, however, a different player emerged. In 2018, his overtime goal in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final sent the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Final, which they won. Seeking a larger role, he moved to Colorado and reprised his role as a playoff catalyst. In the 2022 run, he scored critical goals, including another overtime winner, to help the Avalanche capture their first title in 21 years. Burakovsky's legacy is etched not in season-long point totals, but in his uncanny ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
André was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When André Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
André's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored the series-clinching overtime goal in Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Final for the Washington Capitals.
- Won the Stanley Cup with two different franchises: the Washington Capitals (2018) and the Colorado Avalanche (2022).
- Recorded a career-high 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in the 2021-22 season with Colorado.
- Was selected in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals.
Did You Know?
His father, Robert Burakovsky, was a professional hockey player who was drafted by the Ottawa Senators.
He represented Sweden at multiple World Junior Championships.
He was traded from Washington to Colorado for draft picks in 2019.
He missed a significant portion of the Avalanche's 2023 playoff run due to injury.
“Scoring that overtime goal to send Washington to the Stanley Cup Final was pure joy.”
