Rod Brind’Amour’s Hall of Fame Worthy Legacy
By: Sarah Overton
(Photo courtesy Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Rod Brind’Amour, a name synonymous with dedication and tenacity in the world of hockey, has left an incredible mark both on the ice and within the community. Yet, despite his impressive contributions to the sport, the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee continues to overlook his candidacy for the Hall of Fame.
Let’s talk about all the reasons why Brind’Amour should be a part of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s next group of inductees.
Brind’Amour’s playing career began in 1988 after he was drafted ninth overall by the St. Louis Blues. In his NHL debut, Brind’Amour scored his first goal and helped the Blues beat the Minnesota North Stars to advance in the 1989 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Two years later, in 1991, Brind’Amour was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where his career really began to take off.
As a Flyer, Brind’Amour consistently produced at a high level and honed in on his offensive skills. Brind’Amour had four seasons in Philadelphia, where he scored 33 or more goals and six seasons with 74 or more points.
During his tenure in Philadelphia, Brind’Amour also showcased his conditioning and durability. He was considered one of the NHL’s “ironmen” with a streak of 484 consecutive games played, a streak that is still a franchise record for the Philadelphia Flyers.
In 2000, Brind’Amour was traded to the newly founded Carolina Hurricanes.
As a player, Brind’Amour brought a unique combination of skill, grit and defensive prowess to the Hurricanes’ lineup. He thrived in a two-way role and excelled at shutting down opposing players while finding a way to contribute offensively.
In Raleigh, Brind’Amour became nationally recognized for achievements on special teams. On the man advantage, he had 149 powerplay goals and 397 total powerplay points. Brind’Amour also had 56 shorthanded goals, which is ranked 10th in NHL history.
Additionally, Brind’Amour is considered one of the NHL’s greatest faceoff specialists. In the 12 years after the NHL began using faceoffs as an official statistic, Brind’Amour won more than 54% of his draws.
Perhaps Brind’Amour’s most defining moment as a player came in the 2005-2006 season when he captained the Hurricanes to their first and only Stanley Cup championship.
His stellar play, relentless determination and exemplary leadership were instrumental in guiding the team to success. Brind’Amour’s contributions extended far beyond the scoresheet, as he became a symbol of resilience and dedication to the Hurricanes’ faithful fans.
As a result of his playing abilities, Brind’Amour was the Selke Trophy winner in 2006 and 2007. This award is given annually to the “forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.”
(Photo courtesy Corey Lavalette/Canes Country)
Brind’Amour retired from the NHL in 2010, having played 1,484 regular-season games and 159 playoff games. He finished his career with over 1,100 points and 452 goals.
Following his retirement, Brind’Amour transitioned seamlessly into coaching, accepting an assistant coaching role with the Hurricanes in 2011. His deep understanding of the game, combined with his ability to connect with players, made him a natural fit behind the bench.
In 2018, Brind’Amour was named the head coach of the Hurricanes, stepping into a leadership role once again.
Under his guidance, the team broke a nine-year playoff drought and has reached the playoffs for five consecutive years. The Hurricanes also won the Central Division in 2020-21 and the Metropolitan Division in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Brind’Amour was also named the NHL’s coach of the year and awarded the Jack Adams Award in 2021.
Off the ice, Brind’Amour’s commitment to the community has been remarkable.
Even during his playing days, he made a conscious effort to give back, engaging with fans, supporting local charities and became a beloved figure in the region.
For the past 25 years, Brind’Amour has hosted an annual charity golf tournament to fundraise for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and has raised over two million dollars. In 2002, Brind’Amour received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for his longtime contribution in the fight against cystic fibrosis.
Brind’Amour’s impact has extended beyond the NHL itself as he has sought to grow the sport of hockey in North Carolina. As a father of four, he understands the importance of fostering grassroots development, and in his spare time, Brind’Amour coaches the Junior Canes, a youth hockey team in Raleigh.
Brind’Amour dedicates many evenings each week to coaching the Junior Canes at an ice rink in the Raleigh area.
He offers guidance and expertise to young athletes, including his son Brooks and several children of current and former Hurricanes players. Even when traveling for NHL games, Brind’Amour makes time to review recordings of the Junior Canes’ practices and games and provides feedback to the other coaches.
“You get bigger gains from the little guys,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s a rewarding job. It’s like you’re a teacher. They’re not doing it for financial reasons. They love the job. That’s coaching, really.”
Rod Brind’Amour coaching the Junior Canes team. (Photo courtesy Joe Smith/The Athletic)
Rod Brind’Amour’s career is a testament to the transformative power of hockey and the lasting impact one individual can have on a community. His legacy as both a player and a coach is undeniable, and his omission from the Hockey Hall of Fame is a puzzling oversight.
In my opinion, the only reason that Brind’Amour has been continuously left out of the Hall of Fame since he became eligible is because the selection committee “does not consider the entire body of work of a person.” This means that Brind’Amour’s time as a coach would not affect the selection committee’s consideration to induct him as a player.
However, I still think that Brind’Amour meets all of the criteria that the Hockey Hall of Fame has specified for players. These criteria include playing ability, sportsmanship, character and contributions to a player’s team and the overall game of hockey.
Although Brind’Amour has not been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, he has received recognition from both the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes.
Right after his retirement, the Hurricanes honored Brind’Amour’s career and retired his jersey number (17) in 2011. Similarly, he was named to the Flyers Hall of Fame in 2015 and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Comentários