Valeri Bure

Bure's family had a noble history: his ancestors made Precious watches for Russian tsars from 1815 to 1917 and as craftsmen of the imperial family, were granted noble status.

Bure was around nine years old when his parents separated.

Vladimir, whose family originated from Furna, Switzerland, was an Olympic swimmer who won four medals for the Soviet Union at three Olympic Games between 1968 and 1976.

Valeri Vladimirovich "Val" Bure (Валерий Владимирович Буре; born June 13, 1974) is a Russian-American former ice hockey right winger.

Valeri Bure was born June 13, 1974, in Moscow, Soviet Union.

He is the younger son of Vladimir and Tatiana Bure.

Bure played three games during the 1990–91 season with HC CSKA Moscow of the Soviet Championship League prior to leaving the Soviet Union.

As a 17-year-old, Bure was eligible to play junior hockey upon his arrival in North America, and joined the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

In doing so, he became the first Russian player in the league's history.

He joined the team one year before the Canadian Hockey League, of which the WHL is a member, instituted an import draft.

Bure left his home in the Soviet Union in 1991 to play junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Spokane Chiefs.

A two-time WHL all-star, he was the first Russian player in the league's history.

Internationally, he represented Russia on numerous occasions.

In 1991, he joined his father and brother, Pavel, in moving to North America as his elder sibling embarked on a National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Vancouver Canucks.

His mother arrived two months later.

They settled initially in Los Angeles where Vladimir continued to train and coach both Valeri and Pavel in hockey and physical conditioning.

Bure recorded 49 points in 53 games in 1991–92 for the Chiefs, his first season in the WHL.

A second round selection of the Canadiens, 33rd overall, at the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, Bure appeared in one NHL All-Star Game, in 2000.

The Montreal Canadiens selected him with their second round pick, 33rd overall, at the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

The NHL Central Scouting Bureau praised Bure as being a good skater.

In its assessment, the Bureau added: "very smart around the net; good passer, playmaker. Good shot, quick release. Will take a hit to make the play. Good competitor."

He returned to Spokane for the 1992–93 season where Bure led his team and finished second overall in WHL scoring with 147 points.

His 68 goals that season remains a Chiefs' franchise record.

He was named to the WHL's West Division First All-Star Team.

Bure attended Montreal's training camp prior to the 1993–94 season, but was again returned to his junior team.

He recorded 102 points in his final season in the WHL and was named to the Second All-Star Team.

In three seasons with Spokane, Bure recorded 298 points and stands fourth on the Chiefs' all-time scoring list.

He was a member of the bronze medal-winning squad at the 1994 World Junior Championship and was a two-time medalist at the Winter Olympics.

Upon turning professional in 1994–95, Bure spent the majority of the season with Montreal's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Fredericton Canadiens.

He had 23 goals and 48 points in 45 games for the club.

He played ten seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, and Dallas Stars from 1995 to 2004.

Bure earned a recall to Montreal late in the season and made his NHL debut on February 28, 1995, against the New York Islanders.

His first goal came two weeks later, on March 15, against goaltender Wendell Young of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In 24 games with Montreal, Bure scored 3 goals and added an assist.

He now operates Bure Family Wines in St. Helena, California with his wife, actress Candace Cameron Bure, to whom he has been married since 1996.

Bure and the Russians won the silver medal in 1998 and bronze in 2002.

However, by 1998 both became estranged from their father, along with his second wife and their half-sister, Katya.

Neither brother has given a reason for the split.

He led the Flames in scoring with 35 goals and 75 points in 1999–2000, a season in which he and brother Pavel combined to set an NHL record for goals by a pair of siblings with 93.

Back and hip injuries led to Bure's retirement from hockey in 2005.