Former Flyer Brind'Amour retires

by Jeff Kruczynski
Special to The Phanatic Magazine

Carolina Hurricanes center Rod Brind'Amour called it a career on Wednesday, announcing his retirement after a 20-plus- year NHL career.


Brind'Amour, who turns 40 in August, had one year left on the five-year contract he signed in 2006 after captaining Carolina to the franchise's only Stanley Cup title.

"I feel very fortunate to play as long as I have," said Brind'Amour, who had nine goals and 10 assists in 80 games last season.

His minus-29 rating was the second worst in the league. The Ottawa native will accept a position in Carolina's front office.

"For 10 years, Rod Brind'Amour has represented the best of Hurricanes hockey," said club president and general manager Jim Rutherford. "He helped the franchise reach two Stanley Cup Finals and led the team to its first championship. His work ethic set the bar for what is expected in our locker room, as did his professionalism and leadership. I look forward to working with Rod as he begins his next chapter in hockey."

Brind'Amour was dealt to Carolina from Philadelphia on January 23, 2000 in a trade that sent forward Keith Primeau to the Flyers. He registered 174 goals and 299 assists in 694 games with the Hurricanes.

Originally drafted ninth overall by St. Louis in the 1988 draft, Brind'Amour registered 452 goals and 732 assists in 1,484 career games. He added 51 goals and 111 points in 159 playoff contests.

Once one of the most talented two-way players, Brind'Amour captured back-to- back Frank J. Selke Trophies as the NHL's top defensive forward in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Though best known as a Hurricane, Brind'Amour's single-season personal bests in goals, assists, points, plus-minus and penalty minutes all came during his tenure with Philadelphia (1991-2000). In addition, his lone All-Star selection occurred in 1992, his first year with the Flyers.