Quick Facts
Biography
Vladimir Valeryevich Bure (Russian: Владимир Валерьевич Буре, born 4 December 1950) is a retired Soviet freestyle swimmer and a fitness coach for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. Bure is the father of retired NHL players Pavel and Valeri Bure.
USSR
Bure competed at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympics and won four medals: one in the individual 100 m and three in the relay. Additionally, Bure was a two-time European champion as well as a 17-time Soviet champion. He also won two silver medals at the 1973 and 1975 World Championships.
Bure was swimming coach at the Armed Forces Society in 1979–85. After that he served as Vice President of Exsport club (1985–91), where he managed eight different sports.
North America
Bure first came to North America in 1991, where his sons Pavel and Valeri were playing professional hockey. He joined Pavel, spending four seasons (1994–98) as fitness consultant with Vancouver Canucks. In the summer of 1999, he met up with Valeri as he joined the New Jersey Devils as fitness consultant. He has won two Stanley Cups with New Jersey in 2000 and 2003. His name was engraved on the Stanley Cup in 2003.