Michigan State alum Rod Brind’Amour named Carolina Hurricanes head coach

By @StefanKubus –

A significant Michigan State alumnus is set to take over a NHL bench next season.

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Tuesday that former captain Rod Brind’Amour has been named the franchise’s 14th head coach.

Brind’Amour, 47, had been serving as an assistant coach with Carolina for the past seven seasons after officially retiring as a player in 2010. Prior to his time as an assistant coach, Brind’Amour worked in player development roles for the Hurricanes from 2010-2012. As a player, he most notably led the Hurricanes to the franchise’s first and only Stanley Cup in 2006.

Brind’Amour spent time at Michigan State during the 1988-89 season, posting 27 goals and 59 points in 42 games, before breaking into the NHL with St. Louis. He was the Blues’ ninth overall selection in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft.

In 1,484 career NHL games with St. Louis, Philadelphia and Carolina, Brind’Amour compiled 452 goals and 1,184 points and won the Selke Trophy twice as the league’s best defensive forward.