The Legend Behind the Bench
Just as Don Waddell was not Tom Dundon’s first choice to replace Ron Francis as general manager, it seems as though now head coach, Rod Brind’ Amour, started the 2018 offseason with an outside shot to be the teams next head coach.
Rod “The Bod” is synonymous with the Carolina Hurricanes. He is perhaps, in the eyes of most, still the face of the franchise. He is the icon, he is a legend, he is almost a Carolina folk hero. The man is a symbol of the greatest times in the history of this organization, and he is beloved by these fans.
There was trepidation when Brind’ Amour was being considered. For a man who was now so quintessentially Carolina, what if he failed? Should the team take a gamble on, not only an inexperienced head coach, but one who is so rooted in this community?
https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1181751425560387589
What has transpired since Dundon pulled the trigger on Carolina’s adopted son is the greatest two year start for any coach in Carolina Hurricanes, or Hartford Whalers, history. This is perhaps the greatest coaching display many Hurricanes fans have seen; easily the best since Peter Laviolette was the man in charge.
Rod was the vital piece to the transformation of this franchise. He was the catalyst; without him it all could fall apart. He was able to bridge the gap between Dundon, Waddell, and the players. he had one of the most important qualities that a team needs in a head coach; trust by all parties.
The players could trust management because they knew they could trust Rod, management could trust the players because they knew they could trust Rod. The greatest winner in all of this was always going to be the fans.
Many campaigned for the former Stanley Cup Champion to get the head coaching job and can now rejoice in their rightly placed faith. Rod was always cut out for this, but seeing his team ride the top of NHL power rankings around the nation just adds to the greatest story that sports is currently telling.
As great a narrative as Dundon, Waddell, and Brind’Amour have been, this story is only truly great because of these players…