Brind'Amour Done After 21 Seasons In NHL

 

The idea of looking for work with another team wasn't an appealing one for Rod Brind'Amour. Taking a front office position within the organization he has played for over the past 11 years sounded a lot more intriguing. So after almost 1,500 games over a 21-year NHL career, the 39-year old decided to call it a career and officially retire on Wednesday afternoon.

"The only question would be how much do I want to play" for another team, Brind'Amour said. "When I knew for sure the direction the team was going and I wasn't going to be a part of it as a player, and (General Manager Jim Rutherford) said, 'We want you to come on and do whatever -- we'll figure that out. Just be a part of our organization' ... I said, 'I'm done. It's over.' I don't want to go play anymore, and certainly don't want to play anywhere else."

That role within the organization has to be defined by Rutherford, but he believes Brind'Amour has a lot to offer the team in some capacity. It's hard to deny when considering he is the team's leading scorer since its relocation from Hartford in 1997. Over his career with the Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues, Brind'Amour developed a knack for being a complete player. He had solid two-way skills, was a pro in the face off circle, got physical when necessary, possessed a scoring touch and had undeniable leadership qualities. He was also considered a workhorse, even as he got up there in age. He finished his career with a Stanley Cup to his name, two Frank J. Selke Trophies and totals of 452 goals, 732 assists and 1,184 points in 1,484 games. Brind'Amour added 51 goals and 60 assists to his career marks in 159 postseason contests.

The future Hall of Famer's resume is quite impressive, but poor play last season and a team looking to get younger added up to the end of Brind'Amour's career in Carolina. He had just nine goals and 19 points in 2009-10, was reduced to a fourth line role and ceded his captaincy to Eric Staal.

Brind'Amour was to earn $3 million in the final year of his current contract next season. Instead of taking that hit via his retirement, the Hurricanes will instead buy him out at $2 million, with a $1 million cap hit in each of the next two years.