"When guys come to our team from trades or are brought up, they always say 'the legend is true.' It's gone around the league that Rod Brind'Amour is the hardest working guy.

"I was in awe a lot. It was exciting for me to be there my first year and win the Cup with him. I have a lot of memories with him and hopefully, they will continue to grow for a long time."

Chad LaRose

Hurricanes winger

"You think of the Hurricanes, you obviously think of Ron Francis and Rod Brind'Amour. Roddy is such a competitor and true professional. I know it's a tough day for him, but you look back and I definitely think he's had a Hall of Fame career and something to be proud of."

Jeff Daniels

former Hurricanes forward and head coach of the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL

"It was the middle of July right after I'd been traded to Florida. I went in to work out with [trainer ] Pete Friesen. We're doing stairs, and Rod's there wearing a weight jacket with fifty pounds and he's going up and down. Right after the workout and the run, he lifts and goes on the ice. It was July! Most people would be relaxing, but he was focused and dedicated. That's something I'll remember forever."

Martin Gelinas

Former Hurricanes winger, director of player development for Nashville Predators

"To have accomplished all that Rod accomplished, nothing was ever given to him. Rod is one of those players who never left anything to chance. Of all the players I've coached, he's one of the handful who have retired having given everything he had. He will never have to wonder about his career and ask what might have happened if he could have given more.

"I hope over the next little while Rod will hear from the people whose lives he touched in his career: players, coaches, fans. He touched so many."

Paul Maurice

Hurricanes coach

Compiled by staff writer Chip Alexander and correspondent Kate Shefte