Central Red Army (1987-1991)
Pavel Bure began his professional hockey career at age 16, playing for the Central Red Army team. He was invited to the senior club's training camp for the 1987–88 season and, although he was deemed too young and not yet ready for the Soviet League. Bure earned minimal playing time filling in for absent regulars. He made his debut in September 1987 when the club briefly lost several players to the 1987 Canada Cup; Bure played in five games that season. He scored his first professional goal for CSKA Moscow while playing on the fourth line in his senior club debut.
Bure joined the club full-time in 1988–89 and amassed 17 goals, a Soviet League record for rookies. Bure added 9 assists for 26 points to earn the league's rookie of the year honours. Bure's individual success helped CSKA Moscow capture their thirteenth consecutive Soviet championship and twelfth consecutive IIHF European Cup in 1989 (they repeated as European champions the following year).
In his third and final season with the Red Army, Bure tied for the lead in team-scoring with Valeri Kamensky, tallying 46 points. His 35 goals was second in the league. Bure turned down a three-year contract extension in August 1991, which resulted in him being left off the roster of the Soviet team for the Canada Cup.
Bure was selected 113th overall in the 6th round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, following his rookie season with CSKA Moscow. The pick was controversial, as the Canucks had chosen him seemingly a year ahead of his eligible draft season. At the age of 18, he was available to be chosen in the first three rounds of the draft, but in order to be selected any later than that, he would had to have played in at least two seasons (with a minimum of 11 games per season) for his elite-level European club, the Central Red Army. However, the Canucks' head scout at the time, Mike Penny, discovered that Bure had played in additional exhibition and international games to make him an eligible late-round draft choice a year early.
Bure joined the club full-time in 1988–89 and amassed 17 goals, a Soviet League record for rookies. Bure added 9 assists for 26 points to earn the league's rookie of the year honours. Bure's individual success helped CSKA Moscow capture their thirteenth consecutive Soviet championship and twelfth consecutive IIHF European Cup in 1989 (they repeated as European champions the following year).
In his third and final season with the Red Army, Bure tied for the lead in team-scoring with Valeri Kamensky, tallying 46 points. His 35 goals was second in the league. Bure turned down a three-year contract extension in August 1991, which resulted in him being left off the roster of the Soviet team for the Canada Cup.
Bure was selected 113th overall in the 6th round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, following his rookie season with CSKA Moscow. The pick was controversial, as the Canucks had chosen him seemingly a year ahead of his eligible draft season. At the age of 18, he was available to be chosen in the first three rounds of the draft, but in order to be selected any later than that, he would had to have played in at least two seasons (with a minimum of 11 games per season) for his elite-level European club, the Central Red Army. However, the Canucks' head scout at the time, Mike Penny, discovered that Bure had played in additional exhibition and international games to make him an eligible late-round draft choice a year early.
Vancouver Canucks (1991-1998)
Bure played his first game for the Canucks on November 5, 1991, in a 3–3 tie against the Winnipeg Jets. Despite being kept off the scoresheet in his NHL debut, Bure showcased his talent and speed with several end-to-end rushes, carrying the puck past several defenders from near his defensive zone to the opposing net. It took Bure until his third game, a 6–0 win against the New York Islanders, to record his first point, an assist on a Cliff Ronning goal. He scored his first two NHL goals in the next game on November 12 against Daniel Berthiaume of the Los Angeles Kings in an 8–2 win. He scored 34 goals and 60 points in 65 games that season, including 22 goals in his final 23 games. In the last game of the regular season, Bure scored a goal to tie Ivan Hlinka's 1981–82 team mark for most points by a rookie. As the Canucks opened the 1992 playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets, Bure recorded his first NHL hat trick in game six to help force a seventh and deciding game. Vancouver won the series to advance to the second round, but were then eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers. Bure finished his first Stanley Cup playoffs with 6 goals and 10 points in 13 post-season games. At the end of the season, Bure was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year.
Bure improved on his rookie campaign in 1992–93 for his first of two consecutive 60-goal efforts, Bure appeared in his first All-Star Game that season in 1993. Bure suffered his first career injury early in the 1993–94 season, but still repeated his 60 goal feat from the previous season. Entering the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Seventh seed, the Canucks went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the New York Rangers in seven games. Bure finished with a team-high 16 goals and 31 points in 24 playoff games.
In the lock-out shortened 1994-95 season, Bure went on to tally 43 points in 44 games. The Canucks were eliminated from the 1995 Playoffs in the second round by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Early in the 1995-96 season (November 9th, 1995) , Bure sustained the first of what were to be several serious knee injuries during his career, this injury caused Bure to miss 62 games.
Bure returned to the Canucks lineup with his knee fully recovered in the 1996–97 season, managing 55 points in 63 games., however the Canucks failed to make the 1997 Playoffs.
The 1997-98 season saw Bure return to form, registering 51 goals and 39 assists, his 90 points were good enough for third in the NHL. Bure scored his 254th (and last goal) as a Canuck in the final game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bure improved on his rookie campaign in 1992–93 for his first of two consecutive 60-goal efforts, Bure appeared in his first All-Star Game that season in 1993. Bure suffered his first career injury early in the 1993–94 season, but still repeated his 60 goal feat from the previous season. Entering the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Seventh seed, the Canucks went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the New York Rangers in seven games. Bure finished with a team-high 16 goals and 31 points in 24 playoff games.
In the lock-out shortened 1994-95 season, Bure went on to tally 43 points in 44 games. The Canucks were eliminated from the 1995 Playoffs in the second round by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Early in the 1995-96 season (November 9th, 1995) , Bure sustained the first of what were to be several serious knee injuries during his career, this injury caused Bure to miss 62 games.
Bure returned to the Canucks lineup with his knee fully recovered in the 1996–97 season, managing 55 points in 63 games., however the Canucks failed to make the 1997 Playoffs.
The 1997-98 season saw Bure return to form, registering 51 goals and 39 assists, his 90 points were good enough for third in the NHL. Bure scored his 254th (and last goal) as a Canuck in the final game of the season against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Florida Panthers (1999-2002)
Bure was traded to the Florida Panthers on January 17, 1999. Bure debuted with his new club on January 20, 1999, in a game vs the Islanders, scoring twice in a 5-1 win. Due to his holdout from Vancouver and the two injuries in Florida, Bure appeared in just 11 games that season, but managed to record 13 goals and 3 assists for 16 points.
In his first full season as a Panther, in 1999–2000, Bure led the league in goal-scoring to capture his first of two consecutive Rocket Richard Trophies with a 58-goal effort. Bure helped Florida to a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference to earn their first post-season berth in three seasons. They were, however, swept in the opening round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils.
Bure repeated as league scoring champion in 2000–01 with 59 goals, reaching the 50-goal plateau for the fifth and final time in his career.
Bure played 56 games for the Panthers in the 2001-02 season, leading the team in scoring for the third consecutive campaign with 49 points. Bure was dealt to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline.
In his first full season as a Panther, in 1999–2000, Bure led the league in goal-scoring to capture his first of two consecutive Rocket Richard Trophies with a 58-goal effort. Bure helped Florida to a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference to earn their first post-season berth in three seasons. They were, however, swept in the opening round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils.
Bure repeated as league scoring champion in 2000–01 with 59 goals, reaching the 50-goal plateau for the fifth and final time in his career.
Bure played 56 games for the Panthers in the 2001-02 season, leading the team in scoring for the third consecutive campaign with 49 points. Bure was dealt to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline.
New York Rangers (2002-2003)
The New York Rangers acquired Bure on March 18, 2002, Bure made his Rangers debut against the Vancouver Canucks the day after his trade on March 19, scoring a goal in a 3–1 loss to his former team. He scored 12 goals and 20 points in 12 games upon being traded, up from his pace with Florida that season. Between the two teams, he finished the season with 34 goals and 69 points.
Bure suffered another knee injury in 2002–03, resulting in him appearing in 39 games, managing 19 goals and 30 points.
Bure did not play in 2003–04 due to lingering effects of the knee injury, even after two operations.
Bure remained inactive for another season due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout. After the NHL resumed play for the 2005–06 season, Bure announced his retirement from professional hockey at a press conference in Moscow on November 1, 2005, due to complications with his chronically injured knee.
Bure suffered another knee injury in 2002–03, resulting in him appearing in 39 games, managing 19 goals and 30 points.
Bure did not play in 2003–04 due to lingering effects of the knee injury, even after two operations.
Bure remained inactive for another season due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout. After the NHL resumed play for the 2005–06 season, Bure announced his retirement from professional hockey at a press conference in Moscow on November 1, 2005, due to complications with his chronically injured knee.