The big skates at the attacking zones were highly vulnerable at the times of Valeri as he remained the reason to add on pucks. The fans would always remember the slides of this immaculate right winger toe dragging and finishing with a slapshots or snaps. Valeri would be long remembered as one of the most formidable wingers in the Russian and American ice-hockey.
He was seen with his best if the National Hockey League for ten seasons is appearing for the Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, and St. Louis Blues. With his brother, they are the most dangerous pairs, and the best was achieved with 93 goals in 1999-2000 NHL playing for the Flames. He left his home to play in the Western Hockey League and was the first Russian to appear in the leagues.
Along with his WHL all-star which he got twice, Valeri had also contributed in the 1994 World Junior Championship where his country got the bronze medal. A severe hip injury caused his early retirement and deprived his fans of watching some sensational movements on the ice blocks.
Quite evidently this eminent player has earned quite handsomely with his unbelievable control of sticks. Valeri has accumulated not less than 11 million dollars as his estimated net worth.
Early life
Valeri was born as Valeri Vladimirovich Bure on 13th June 1974 in Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR. He was born to Vladimir and Tatiana as the younger son. Vladimir came from Switzerland and won four Olympic medals for Russia in three Olympics from 1968 till 1976. When Valeri has attained only nine, his parents failed to stay together any further.
In 1991 along with father and brother Pavel moved towards North America to join his elder brother who is playing for Vancouver Canucks in the NHL.
The father and the brother settled in Los Angeles where father taught his children Pavel and Valeri about ice-hockey. Later the two brothers went off to let his father be with his second wife and Katya their sister. It can be noted that before leaving Russia Valeri had played in the Soviet Championship League for the HC CSKA Moscow in the 1990-91 season.
At the age of 17 on arriving in North America, he started playing in the Western Hockey League for Spokane Chiefs and became the first Russians to play in the league. In the first season for the Spokane in 53 matches, he scored 49 points.
Career
The Montreal Canadiens showed enough potential in the young Valeri and signed him for the 1992 NHL. In 1992-93 seasons Valeri returned to the Spokane and enabled his team to reach the second position with 147 points in WHL. Till date, his 68 goals would fascinate the Spokane’s fans which gave him an entry in the First All-Star Team in the WHL. In 1993-94 he was again in the All-Stars with 102 points. Valeri scored 298 points in three seasons and is fourth in the all-time scoring list of the Chiefs. He represented Russia in the 1994 World Junior Championship.
He turned professional in 1994-95 and played for Fredericton Canadiens scored 48 points with 23 goals in 45 matches. On 28th February 1995, he joined the parent club Montreal to play against New York Islanders.
He scored 42 points with 22 goals but was far behind from the performance expected. Next season scuffled with injuries he scored only 14 goals. Valeri moved to Calgary Flames and got back his rhythm. He got into the World squad with his brother Pavel in 2000 All-Star Game. Valeri scores 75 points with 35 goals in 82 games.
The star player then moved around in the club premises of Florida, St. Louis and Dallas. At 31 he retired because of injuries. Before his retirement, he brought out his best for the Russians in 1998 and 2002 when the team got silver and bronze respectively.
Personal life
In a charity hockey match, Dave Coulier introduced Valeri to Candace Cameron, the actress. The couple exchanged vows and rings on 22nd June 1996. The couple is blessed with three children.
Their elder daughter Natasha was born in 1998 and followed by Lev in 2000 and Maksim in 2002. Valeri applied for American citizenship and got that in 2001. Then he moved to California and busied himself in the Bure Family Wines.
In 2010 he appeared with Ekaterina Gordeeva in the Battle of the Blades for figure skating organized by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and emerged winner getting $100 thousand in prize money.
Quick summary:
Full Name: Valeri Vladimirovich Bure
Date of Birth: 13th June 1974
Birth Place: Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union, USSR
Age: 44 Years Old
Profession: Former Russian Professional Ice-Hockey Player
Height: 5 Feet 10 Inches / 178 mc
Weight: 82 Kg / 181 lbs
Net worth: $11 Million
