3 replies to this topic

[The Hockey Writers]

To get a number retired in the National Hockey League is a special honor, one that is typically reserved for a unique kind of player.  It doesn’t necessarily mean that the honoree was winner, but rather that he did something important to either put his team on the map or help make it stand out.

Rod Brind’Amour did both for the Carolina Hurricanes, which is why two years ago, this week, that the team retired his No. 17 – fittingly, in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers.  It was the perfect honor for Brind’Amour, who was instrumental not only in developing professional hockey in Raleigh, N.C., but in bringing the franchise its first Stanley Cup in 2006.

Drafted ninth overall by the St. Louis Blues in 1988, there was plenty of hype surrounding Brind’Amour as he made the transition directly from college hockey to the NHL level.  After a brief three-year stint in St. Louis, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound center was traded to the Flyers – and quickly began to make a name for himself.  In nine seasons – 633 games – with Philadelphia, Brind’Amour scored 235 goals and added 366 assists, becoming a fan-favorite and a team leader – earning one of the alternate captain titles, backing up captain Eric Lindros.  Brind’Amour had become a star and for reasons that are still debated to this day – whether it be ego issues with Lindros or otherwise – the 29-year-old was traded to the Hurricanes – along with Jean-Marc Pelletier – for Keith Primeau midway through the 1999-00 season.



Read more from The Hockey Writers

[Mishey22]

Rod Brind'Amour > everyone else

[Vader]

Rod Brind'Amour > everyone else

 

And that's just the size of his nose.  

[Caniac59]

I was there the night the Hurricanes retired his jersey. Out of the 3 retired jerseys (Francis & Wesley are the other retirees) that was the only time the Canes won a game on the night they raised the number to the rafters.