Carolina Hurricanes: The strange tale of Erik Cole’s draft selection
By Jeb Bohn
The Next Dominos
On October 9, 1996—just two games into the season and barely 14 months after his arrival—Shanahan got his wish. The disgruntled winger was sent to the Detroit Red Wings along with defenseman Brian Glynn. In return, Hartford received Keith Primeau, Paul Coffey, and Detroit’s 1st round pick in the 1997 draft. Remember that pick; it’s key to the story.
Just over two months later, Coffey was on the move again, this time landing with the Philadelphia Flyers. Heading back to Hartford was defender Kevin Haller, a 1st round pick, and a 7th round pick (both in the 1997 draft). The Whalers now held 2 picks in the opening round.
Okay, let’s pause for a moment. You’re probably thinking “Two picks? Shouldn’t they have three? They got one from Detroit, another from Philly, and they had their own.” The answer? No. The Hurricanes’ own 1st round pick had been traded to the Boston Bruins back in 1994—along with 1st round picks in 1995 and 1996—to acquire Glen Wesley.
Who did the Bruins select with that pick? Future Hurricane (and Edmonton Oiler during the 2006 Cup Finals) Sergei Samsonov.
Fast forward to June 21, 1997. The place is Pittsburgh; the event is the NHL Entry Draft. Karmanos made good on his word and the Whalers were now the Carolina Hurricanes. General manager Jim Rutherford was looking to swing a deal and, holding two 1st round selections, had the pieces to make it happen.
He found a dance partner with Dean Lombardi, the GM of the San Jose Sharks. In what would be the first trade in Carolina Hurricanes’ history, Rutherford swapped the first-rounder he had received from Philadelphia to San Jose. His haul? A 1997 2nd round pick and a 3rd round pick in 1998. Lombardi used his newly acquired pick to select defenseman Scott Hannan, who would appear in 626 games for the Sharks over 11 years and two separate stints.