The ‘Canes Captains: 14 Franchise Leaders Part I

Since General Manager Jim Rutherford recently passed the torch from Rod Brind’Amour to Eric Staal, we thought this would be a great opportunity to review the 14 players who have worn the “C” for the franchise since first taking the ice in 1972.

Eric Staal (2010 – present) Staal is the undisputed leader and future of this team. His leadership will be critical to guide the current roster through the inevitable rebuilding process that will ensue at the conclusion of this season.

Rod Brind’Amour (2005-2010) Brind’Amour has the honor of being the only ‘Canes captain to host the Stanley Cup, bringing home the championship in his first year at the helm. And he has lead this team admirably ever since. He is currently 18th on the all time games played list at 1453, and will soon surpass Glen Wesley for the 17th spot. But he is reaching the end of his long career, and Rutherford believed that it was time for a change. He will continue to be a locker room presence until his playing days are over, and look for Brind’Amour to remain with the club after his retirement.

Ron Francis (1999–2004)   When Francis rejoined the franchise after a 7 ½ year stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he was immediately re-crowned the team’s captain.  He had previously served as captain for the Hartford Whalers from 1985-90.  And in Pittsburgh, Francis wore the “C” for parts of the 1995 season, as well as the 1997–98 campaign.   While Francis had already accumulated most of his gaudy career stat totals before returning to the franchise 1999, Francis was a welcome addition to the ‘Canes.  He would lead the team to the Stanley Cup finals in 2002.  The Hurricanes would retire his No. “10” on January 28, 2006.  A year later, Francis was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.  In the end, Francis would serve as the captain of this franchise for ten years.  His leadership still guides the team today, serving as the ‘Canes’ Associate Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel.  Look for more on Francis’ Hall of Fame career in Part II of The ‘Canes Captains: 14 Franchise Leaders. 

Keith Primeau (1998–99) Primeau first joined the franchise in Hartford at the start of the 1996-1997 season. He would move with the club to Carolina, and become the team’s captain for the 1998-99 campaign. He would go on to play his final 6 years in the league with Philadelphia, serving as the Flyers’ captain from 2001–06.

Kevin Dineen (1996-98) Dineen was the leader of this team during a turbulent time in its history, wearing the “C” on both Hartford and Carolina jerseys. He was a crowd favorite in Hartford, where he broke into the league in 1984 before being traded to Philadelphia during the 1991-1992 campaign. While in Philadelphia, he would serve as the captain during the 1993–94 season. After leaving the ‘Canes in 1999, he would go on to play for the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets before retiring with 760 points and 2229 PIM in 1188 NHL games. He is currently the head coach of the AHL Portland Pirates.

Brendan Shanahan (1995–96) Despite being clearly the best player on the roster, Shanahan was despised by Hartford fans for asking for a trade after just one season in the Insurance City. Shanahan had been acquired from St. Louis for Chris Pronger, and fans had hoped that the franchise would be rebuilt around the star. After just two games into the 1996-1997 season, Shanahan got his wish, as Rutherford traded him and Brian Glynn to Detroit in exchange for Keith Primeau, Paul Coffey and a first round pick in the 1997 draft (Nikos Tselios). Shanahan would go on to win 3 Cups in Detroit, while the Whalers would relocate to Carolina after the 1997 season.

Pat Verbeek (1992-95) Verbeek could both light the lamp and drop the gloves. He would play parts of five seasons in a Whalers’ uniform, before being traded to the New York Rangers in part of a deal that included a first round pick in the 1995 draft, by which the Whalers would select goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Verbeek would retire in 2002 after winning the cup with Dallas in 1999. Over the course of his career, he would amass 1061 points and 2905 PIM in 1424 NHL contests, good fort 24th on the all time games played list.

In Part II of The ‘Canes Captains: 14 Franchise Leaders, we will further explore club leaders such as Ronnie Franchise, a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team, and Maple Leaf legend Dave Keon.

Dan Canavan is an attorney in Hartford, Connecticut. Dan regularly covers business and legal issues facing the hockey industry for ctsportslaw.com. He has appeared as an on-air guest with regard to the NHL and the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy proceedings on CBC Radio’s World Report. His analysis and commentary have also been published in various media outlets including The National Post, The Windsor Star, The Star Phoenix, The Montreal Gazette, The Edmonton Journal, The Ottawa Citizen, The Vancouver Sun, The Province, Faceoff.com, and the Sports Litigation Alert. You can follow Dan on Twitter at twitter.com/DanielRCanavan. Dan can be contacted directly at dcanavan@ctsportsgroup.com.

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