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Carolina Hurricanes give Rod Brind’amour wacky title ‘Director of Forwards Development’

Brind'Amour

FILE - In this June 19, 2006, file photo, Carolina Hurricanes captain Rod Brind’Amour celebrates with the Stanley Cup after winning Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final over the Edmonton Oilers in Raleigh, N.C. Brind’Amour is retiring after 21 NHL seasons to take an unspecified job with the Hurricanes. The team’s former captain said Wednesday, June 30, 2010, that his decision was made simpler after he talked with general manager Jim Rutherford and they decided the aging veteran wouldn’t fit with the Hurricanes’ rebuilding plan. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Paul Chiasson, File)

AP

The man known as “Rod the Bod” may soon be known as “Rod the Suit.”

The beaten-up former face of the Carolina Hurricanes franchise (after Ron Francis) was given a funky title today, as GM Jim Rutherford announced that the team named Rod Brind’amour its “Director of Forwards Development.”

Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that Rod Brind’Amour has been named director of forwards development for the team. Brind’Amour, who officially retired from hockey on June 30, 2010, is responsible for working with all forwards in the Hurricanes system, including drafted players in the Canadian major-junior hockey leagues, ECHL and American Hockey League (AHL). In addition to his work with the team’s prospects, Brind’Amour will also spend time on the ice with the Hurricanes’ NHL players during training camp and throughout the season.

“It is important for our team to have its most-accomplished players like Rod stay with the organization,” said Rutherford. “Rod is already displaying the same work ethic and dedication in his new role as he did with us as a player.”

Considering the steep decline in his productivity the last two seasons, he probably acted in that coach/mentor-type role quite some time before he retired. It’s a slightly silly title, but it seems to be a glorified way to pay him to stay around a team that clearly values his presence and gives Brind’amour a chance to get his feet wet as a coach or front office member at the same time.

The Hurricanes really didn’t do much this off-season, so they’ll need to get the most out of the players who were already in their system. Rutherford and Co. are hoping that Brind’amour can help them do just that.

Update: Carolyn Christians points out that the club has done this sort of thing before; retired defenseman Glen Wesley holds the title of Director of Defensemen Development. The Appreciative Association of Alliteration* approves.

* - I just made that group up.