Carolina Hurricanes: Which Players are which Avengers?

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Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WARL to R: Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Drax (Dave Bautista)Photo: Film Frame©Marvel Studios 2018 /

The Guardians of the Galaxy

Do you hear that? That is the sound of 70s and 80s pop music going through your head at the very mention of this superhero team. These guys and gals have found their ways into our hearts and have caused a lot of heartache for their foes. Much like some of our favorite Carolina Hurricanes!

But who fits the roles of these cast of misfits tasked with keeping the galaxy in check? Who is fit to do something good, something bad, or a bit of both?

RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 04: Trevor van Riemsdyk #57 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates with the puck during an NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 4, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Star Lord- Trevor Van Riemsdyk

Speaking of the quote from the famous trouble making super heroes who under appreciate a good plan, Trevor Van Riemsdyk is a fit for the half Terran guardian. Not only do both like to cause a little trouble and come in with clutch goals that may or may not have saved the entire galaxy (or Carolina Hurricanes season) they both have a flair for doing so with style.

Both are well known for accomplishing seemingly impossible tasks. Star Lord took on a power stone empowered Kree Accuser with nothing more than a dance off when he first met him. Trevor Van Riemsdyk managed to take and dunk a basketball on the ice. So what if Star Lord was only distracting Ronan. So what if TVR traveled a bit. It got the job done right?

RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 18: Carolina Hurricanes center Lucas Wallmark (71) during the 3rd period of the Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Ottawa Senators on January 18th, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Gamora- Lucas Wallmark

While TVR portrays the space outlaw very well, Lucas Wallmark fits the description of the very orderly Gamora, daughter of Thanos. Wallmark plays a very orderly style of hockey. From face-offs to play in the three zones. He plays a complete game in each of those zones.

Like Gamora, he isn’t flashy, but modest. He plays his minutes to the full and and maintains a professional presence on the ice. Like Gamora, he wont be the guy who will start a conflict on the ice, but if you start one with him, he fill finish it. A player not afraid to step up when needed.

Like Gamora, he doesn’t always strike, but when he does you cannot help but watch. Each of his goals during the season and postseason have been critical strikes that have helped team gain the edge. You cannot look away from the action when it ends with a Wallmark goal.

RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 19: Micheal Ferland #79 of the Carolina Hurricanes fires a shot on goal during warmups prior to an NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 19, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Drax- Micheal Ferland

Drax the Destroyer is a colorful character who says very little and does a lot of destroying, hence the name. Micheal Ferland says about just as much with about as much destroying on the ice. Between destroying opponents who try to go after his teammates and the back of the net, Ferland is a menace on the ice.

And Like Drax when he isn’t moving the opponents cannot see him. And when he does, the opponents cannot stop him. While plenty of injuries this season has had him as more of a recurring character than a main cast, Ferland still managed to make his presence this season felt.

RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 18: Carolina Hurricanes center Greg McKegg (42) chases down a loose puck during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Washington Capitals on April 18, 2019, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Groot- Greg McKegg

If we asked Groot how he would feel to be compared to Greg McKegg, we know exactly what his answer would be. “I am Groot, I AM groot, i am groot, I AM GROOT, I am GROOT. i AM groot.” to be honest, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Because yes, Greg McKegg is the best name in hockey. Yes Greg McKegg shows up when his team needs him most.

And just like Groot, Greg McKegg has a habit of shutting down opponents and giving his teammates ample time to escape with a win. No matter how many time he sacrifices himself to stop a puck in the defensive zone, he always grows right back into the game and gets himself and the team back into the game.

As Groot would put it: ” I AM GROOOOOOOOOOT”.

RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 15: Warren Foegele #13 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal and celebrates in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Washington Capitals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 15, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Rocket- Warren Foegele

No one expected him to be here. No one expected him to be so loved. With the ridiculous nicknames and the excellent quotes. If you are confused to if we are talking about the walking talking, gun-toten genetically created raccoon or if we are talking about rookie sensation Warren Foegele, we cannot blame you.

Both were ideas that came out of left field and served to be very welcomed members of the team. Both have been sensational fan favorites that always seem to strike when the team needs them most. Both have been ridiculed with hilarious nicknames that they have more than owned. Honestly, we don’t know who we love more.

RALEIGH, NC – FEBRUARY 15: Saku Maenalanen #8 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates for position on the ice during an NHL game against the Edmonton Oilers on February 15, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Nebula- Saku Maenalanen

Noone knew much about Saku Maenalanen when he was signed last summer. Kind of like Nebula in her limited role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1. But by the time second movie rolled around Nebula became an “X” factor and soon enough a fan favorite. The same can be said of Saku when he got the call up and filled in the lineup for the second half of the season.

Nebula is a bit of fiery character and when she gets started she becomes an unstoppable force with very little that can stop her. Saku Maenalanen gets equally unstoppable when he sets his mind to the task. When no one else seems to find the back of the net, he does. When the opposing team starts to let off their frustration on his teammates, he steps up.

Honestly without Saku Maenalanen, this team doesn’t punch its ticket to the conference finals. Just like without Nebula, the Guardians never stop any of the big villains.

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