Top 5 Carolina Hurricanes Players Of All Time
April 9, 2013; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal (12) carries the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the PNC Center. The Penguins defeated the Hurricanes 5-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Hurricanes organization has been blessed with the presence of greatness through out the years. Let’s take a look at the top 5 players to ever don a Carolina Hurricanes jersey, based on my opinion.
NOTE
Keep in mind, this list is based on the player’s time with the Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers organization. This list does not account for play outside of the Hurricanes organization.
Number Five – Cam Ward
Cam Ward reaches the top five on my list. Cam Ward carried the team to the only Stanley Cup victory in franchise history, and he has been the Carolina Hurricanes starting goalie since the 2006 playoffs.
It obviously takes a lot of skill to do this. It also takes a lot of commitment to stick with this team through the ups and downs. Cam Ward has been dedicated to this team since he took the ice in his first career start in 2005 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Regular Season Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes
Record (W-L-OTL) – 216-157-71
Goals Against Average – 2.74
Save Percentage – .910%
Cam Ward’s record with the Carolina Hurricanes is terrific. The defense has never been great for the Hurricanes, and he still finds ways to get the Hurricanes points in the standings. If the Carolina Hurricanes defense had been better over the years, I’m fully confident that Cam Ward’s stats would be a lot better, and that he’d be considered a Vezina Trophy candidate around the NHL.
Playoff Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes
Record (W-L-OTL) – 23-18-4
Goals Against Average – 2.38
Save Percentage – .917%
Cam Ward has been a very good playoff performer. He steps up his game, and he lives for the big moments. Unfortunately, the Hurricanes have only made the playoffs twice with Cam Ward, but that isn’t Ward’s fault.
Cam Ward won the Conn Smyth Trophy (playoff MVP) in 2006, and holds the Carolina Hurricanes record for regular season and playoff wins.
Number 4 – Glen Wesley
Glen Wesley is second all time in games played with the Carolina Hurricanes. He played 913 games in a Carolina Hurricanes sweater and trails only Ron Francis.
Glen Wesley is one of the best leaders in franchise history. He led, not only through his words, but through his actions. He would do absolutely anything for his team to win. He said in the Carolina Hurricanes video series with Ryan Murphy that he would take a puck to the face in order to win.
Wesley was the alternate captain for the 2002 team that went to the Stanley Cup Finals, and was also the alternate captain of the 2006 Stanley Cup Winning team.
Regular Season Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers
Games Played – 913
Goals – 51
Assists – 176
Points – 227
Plus/Minus – +23
He didn’t put up huge numbers, but Glen Wesley’s defensive presence was felt through his tenure with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Playoff Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers
Games Played – 59
Goals – 0
Assists – 4
Points – 4
Numbers weren’t there, but Glen Wesley’s value to the team wasn’t his point production, it was his defense and leadership.
Number 3 – Eric Staal
Eric Staal has played his entire NHL career with the Carolina Hurricanes. Staal led the team’s offense in the 2006 playoff run, and is now the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Although Eric Staal has been inconsistent at times, he has been the center piece and future of the Carolina Hurricanes since entering the league. He is known as a star around the league, and he has scored over 70 points in every season since the 2005-2006 season, except for the shortened 2013 season where he scored 53 points in 48 games. He was on track for well over 70.
Regular Season Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes
Games Played – 706
Goals – 271
Assists – 365
Points – 636
Eric Staal has been the most consistent point scorer in franchise history. He has put up star numbers since the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. He is also the captain of the current day Carolina Hurricanes, and he takes the role very seriously, and he deserves the ‘C’ on his chest. He is also second in points in Carolina Hurricanes history.
Playoff Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes
Games Played – 43
Goals – 19
Assists – 24
Points – 43
Eric Staal’s presence is also felt in the playoffs. Like Cam Ward, Eric Staal’s play in the big moment elevates to new levels, and that’s why he is the 3rd best Hurricane in franchise history.
Number 2 – Ron Francis
Ron Francis is one of the greatest players to ever play in the National Hockey League. His play with the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs was terrific. He ranks seconnd all time in assists, third in game played, and fourth in points.
Francis captained the 2002 Carolina Hurricanes that fell to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals and is now the Vice President of Hockey Operations. He also appears to be the next in line to Jim Rutherford for the spot as Carolina Hurricanes GM.
Regular Season Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers
Games Played – 1,187
Goals – 382
Assists – 793
Points – 1,175
Most of his points came as a member of the Hartford Whalers. His production wasn’t as good with the Carolina Hurricanes, because he was on a decline, and he was going up in age. Keep in mind, a “decline” for Ron Francis is different than a decline from most other players. From 1999-2002, he put up very good stats.
Playoff Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers
Games Played – 62
Goals – 14
Assists – 25
Points – 39
One thing that holds Ron Francis back from being number one on the list is his play in the playoffs. 39 points in 62 playoff games isn’t awful, but we are talking about a top five player in NHL history. He also didn’t win the cup in 2002, which is unfortunate.
Number 1 – Rod Brind’amour
Rod Brind’amour is the best Carolina Hurricane ever. What he did for this team and this community in his time with the team is unbelievable. Hockey wasn’t popular before he and Ron Francis came in. Rod Brind’amour not only put up good stats, he also provided the best leadership that the Carolina Hurricanes have ever experienced.
On February 18th, 2011, The Carolina Hurricanes played the Philadelphia Flyers. This was Rod Brind’amour night at the RBC Center. The ceremony lasted over 35 minutes. The ceremony brought fans to their feet for the entire duration of the ceremony. The Hurricanes won the game 3-2. This was one of the most emotional game in Carolina Hurricanes history. It was fitting that the game winning goal was scored by former team mate Chad LaRose. There was also a standing ovation midway through the game that lasted nearly 15 minutes.
The most recognized image in Carolina Hurricanes history is Rod Brind’amour lifting the Stanley Cup. He stomped on the ground while he kissed it for the first time. The pure emotion from Rod Brind’amour and the Carolina Hurricanes was amazing.
If you look up in the PNC Arena, you will see the number 17, along with number 10 and 2. These numbers will never been worn again on a Carolina Hurricanes uniform.
Regular Season Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes
Games – 694
Goals – 174
Assists – 299
Points – 473
Brind’amour’s point total wasn’t on the level of Ron Francis, but they were still very good. The Rod Brind’amour impact on this team was beyond the points. He is the best leader in franchise history. /he led by example and by words on and off the ice.
Playoff Stats With The Carolina Hurricanes
Games – 72
Goals – 18
Assists – 20
Points – 38
Rod Brind’amour may be the most clutch player to ever wear a Hurricanes uniform. He played his best when it counted. He also has made the biggest impact on this area. Without Rod Brind’amour, hockey would not be the same in North Carolina. His leadership, level of play, and the example that he sets for his team mates and the community makes him the best Hurricane of all time.