The Toronto, Ontario, native spent three seasons with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's Fighting Irish before making his NHL debut with Minnesota in 1976-77.

In his rookie year with the North Stars, Pirus played in 79 games scoring (20) goals while adding (17) assists for (37) points. Pirus returned to Minnesota in 1977-78 looking to build on his exploits from his inaugural season, however he was unable to do so as his totals dropped to (9) gaols and (6) assists for (15) points. Unable to get things going in his sophomore year, Pirus found himself playing in 18 games with the Central Hockey League's Fort Worth Texans.

Looking to rebound in 1978-79, Pirus fortunes turned from better to worse, playing in only 15 games with the North Stars while spending the majority of the season with the CHL's Oklahoma City Blazers. Pirus began the 1979-80 campaign with Oklahoma City before Minnesota traded him to the Detroit Red Wings early into the season. After only four games with Detroit, Pirus was headed back to Minnesota after being traded during the off-season by the Red Wings.

Having only been back in the North Stars' organization for no more than a month, the team traded Pirus to the New York Islanders, a team with whom he never ended up playing for. Instead of joining the Islanders for the 1980-81 season, Pirus found a home in the CHL with Indianapolis Checkers.

Following the 1980-81 season, Pirus retired from the game after having played in 161 NHL games.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame