Rod Brind'Amour Reflects on Stanley Cup Wins as Player vs. Coach
On June 14, the Carolina Hurricanes won the second Stanley Cup in franchise history when they beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in the best-of-seven series.
20 years ago, the Hurricanes won their first Stanley Cup when they beat the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.
The common denominator between the two squads? Rod Brind'Amour.
In 2006, Brind'Amour was the Hurricanes' captain when he helped lead the team to the promised land. Now, 20 years later, he did so again, only this time as the Hurricanes' head coach.
He's only the fourth person in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup as a player and coach with one franchise.
But the feeling between winning as a player vs. a coach is one that is very different for "Rod the Bod."
Rod Brind'Amour Explains Why Winning is Different as a Player vs. Coach
Speaking to Rich Eisen, Brind'Amour was asked what the difference was in winning the Stanley Cup as a player vs. coach, and the long-time NHL veteran reflected on it.
It's more rewarding to actually want it for other people."
"It is different. As a player, my whole life growing up, all I wanted to do was win a Stanley Cup. Since I was five years old and put on skates, I wanted the cup. And I wanted it for me. Obviously, for my teammates and everything, but it was like, I gotta win this thing, and obviously we did in 2006," Brind'Amour said.
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"And then as a coach now, you know how great a feeling this is, and you know what it does for you. It changes your life. And so, you want it for the guys you're coaching. You want them to have that feeling. So it's kind of watching it through different eyes and (having) a lot more gratitude for it.
"It's more rewarding to actually want it for other people. It's kind of like watching your kids. Whatever they do, you're proud of them, and you want them to excel. That's kind of what it was like sitting back behind the bench watching these guys, and (I'm) just extremely happy that they were able to accomplish their dream."
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Rod Brind'Amour: Hockey Hall of Fame Next?
It might surprise you to know that Brind'Amour is currently not in the Hockey Hall of Fame as a player
That's despite playing in 1,484 regular-season games as a player, where he scored 452 goals and had 1,184 points in 22 NHL seasons. He also played in 159 playoff games, scoring 51 goals and adding 111 points.
The 55-year-old Brind'Amour was drafted with the No. 9 overall pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft and played for the St. Louis Blues for three seasons, the Philadelphia Flyers for nine seasons, and the Hurricanes for 10 seasons.
He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy twice as the NHL's best defensive forward. And, of course, he was the Hurricanes' captain when they won the Stanley Cup.
But despite those accolades, Brind'Amour is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame as a player. He is one of the top-five highest-scoring players in NHL history who is not in the HHOF.
So, what gives?
Yes, Brind'Amour was never a flashy scorer, and he never won a Hart Trophy as the league MVP or scored 100 points in a season.
But he was consistently great for 22 years, and he should be in the HHOF for his excellent playing career.
That might not happen, but he can now go in as a coach, especially after leading the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup.
In eight years as the Hurricanes' head coach, Brind'Amour had made the playoffs every single season, compiling a 378-182-56 record in 616 regular-season games. He also has a 63-45 postseason record. And again, he just won the Stanley Cup.
It's time Brind'Amour goes into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Whether it's as a player or as a coach, "Mr. Hurricane" truly deserves the honor, so let's hope it happens.
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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 12:16 PM.