Valeri Bure's Kevo

Everyone is Valeri Bure's life is more famous then he. His father is an Olympic swimmer who competed in three Olympics winning a silver medal. His brother Pavel, is a NHL superstar who had back to back 60- goal season. His wife Candice is a TV star from the long running series Full House. His brother in-law Kirk Cameron is also a big TV star who has crossed over into movies. Bure is more known for his family then he is for his own achievements. His wife's fame got their wedding on the cover of People Magazine, his brother's fame got him to North America, and his father's fame got him into the prestigious Red Army hockey program. Of course, that is not to say Bure is not a talented hockey player. It is just that his own talents have been overshadowed by those around him.

Being the younger brother of a superstar has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was that when Pavel Bure left Russia prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union, his brother Valeri came with him. They were seen photographed together roller blading in Southern California. The photograph was even turned into a hockey card, which is unusual for a player who had yet to make a name for himself. The disadvantage of course is that he was always compared to his older brother. Bure was not even a first round pick because scouts knew he was not as talented as his older brother.

Bure played junior hockey in Spokane, Washington in the Western Hockey league. Being in Spokane allowed him to be close to his parents who had moved to Vancouver where Pavel was playing for the Canucks. Bure was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. His first season in Montreal was hard. His family was all the way in Vancouver. In addition, it was the lock out shortened season so he spent some time in the minors. The following season he rebounded and scored 22 goals, yet he was still Pavel's little brother. The next two seasons he could not live up to that 22 -goal season. Life in Montreal was tough, the Canadiens were loosing which is a sin in Montreal, plus his new wife Candice Cameron was running back and forth across the continent to continue her acting career in Los Angeles. In 1998, he was traded to the Calgary Flames.

In Calgary he was closer to his family in Vancouver and his wife was closer to her work. A few weeks after the trade he represented Russia in the Winter Olympics. While in Nagano he won a silver medal and spent some quality time with his older brother. The following season, Pavel was involved in a long contract hold out followed by a kneww injury that limited him to 11 games. Bure, was able to emerge from his brother's shadow. He scored 26 goals, which led all Bure's in NHL goal scoring. His way of scoring goals also reminded many of his missing brother. He made many NHL fans forget that he was the younger less talented brother. Bure has finally found his own goal scoring touch. He has made himself a valuable player, and he may even be able to give his brother a run in the goal-scoring race in a few years.
Climb to Fame
NHL Player
Work History
(1999) Scored 26 goals and 53 points.

(1998) Traded from the Montreal Canadiens to theCalgary Flames. Represented Russia in the Winter Olympics won a Silver Medal. Scored 38 points.

(1997) Scored 35 points.

(1996) Scored 22 goals and 42 points. Named to the World Cup Team for Russia.

(1992) Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens 33rd overall.
Affiliations
National Hockey League Players' Association
Awards
Valeri Bure has also won numerous Awards