Ron Francis
Ron Francis
Ronald Michael Francis, Jr.is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and the current general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. Drafted fourth overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, Francis played 23 seasons in the NHL for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs. Upon retiring from professional ice hockey in 2004, Francis stands second all-time in career assists, behind only Wayne Gretzky; fifth in career points; third in games played;...
NationalityCanadian
ProfessionHockey Player
Date of Birth1 March 1963
CountryCanada
cost fill money
It's great, unfortunately it cost me a lot of money to fill up the building.
almost believed entire further great memorable nobody ride step surprised
Nobody believed we could do what we did, and we almost went one step further and really surprised them, ... The entire ride has been memorable and fun. I have no regrets. It's been a great part of my life.
agent announce busy cancelled clear couple kids last months picture ready season year
I had a pretty clear picture once the season was cancelled last year (in February). So really in the last couple of months I was ready to announce this, but I've been pretty busy with the kids here. With everyone making their announcements, my agent called me and said we should get this thing official. So here were are.
career enjoyed entire others satisfied
The (lack of) notoriety, that's for others to debate. I'm very satisfied with how my career went and I enjoyed the entire trip. I look back with no regrets.
best chance entire equipment experience guys hard hours jobs medical opponents opportunity players quietly respect sure talents thank thoroughly utmost work
To all the players I had the chance to play with over my career, I thank you for all your hard work and dedication, your friendship, and for making this entire experience one I thoroughly enjoyed. To all my opponents over the years, I always had the utmost respect for your talents and how you competed every night. To the equipment guys and medical staffs, I thank you for all the hours you quietly put in to make sure that the players have the best opportunity to do their jobs well.
good people
Off the ice, you just want people to think you are a good person.
draft eddie enticing extent fair february good last lottery mario picked season talk
(Coach Eddie Olczyk) and I are good friends, and we talk a fair amount, ... I think it probably would have been more enticing had the season picked up last February to do something (in Pittsburgh). But I actually called Mario (Lemieux) to congratulate him when the draft lottery when down, and he said, in passing, 'Are you going to play?' I said, 'No, I'm done.' And that was the extent of the conversation.
bodies care dropping extremely guys high january last left losing obviously points six start tough week year
Our expectations were extremely high last year and when you start losing bodies like that, it's tough. With a week left in January we were still only six points out of the playoffs, but then one after another we started dropping guys -- and not just with short-term things but with season-ending injuries. I think at one point we had 13 guys out of the lineup. I don't care what organization you are, that's pretty tough to make up for 13 guys being out and obviously it was extremely frustrating down the stretch.
actively boys came certainly coaching contract fun games hockey involved nice opportunity opposed practices team volleyball watch year
Certainly, I wouldn't be opposed to any of that if the right opportunity came along, I would certainly look at it. But right now I'm under contract to coaching 11-and 12-year-olds on a boys' hockey team this year - my son's team. Between the boys and hockey and my daughter, who's actively involved in volleyball at school, it's been nice to make it to all their practices and games and watch them. It's been fun being with them.
match
then working on legislation to match the numbers.
certainly hopefully
Hopefully that's the case, it would certainly be an honour,
alongside hearing huge mentioned name proud
I don't really look at myself in that category, but hearing your name mentioned alongside them is something I'm proud I've accomplished, and I take that as a huge compliment.
broke compare comparison develop drafted guys heard high jean label league niche question style trying unique
He's like me ... only he can skate, ... When you come in the league everyone is always trying to put a label on you to compare you to someone. I know when I broke in the comparison that I heard was to Jean Beliveau. There are always going to be expectations when you get drafted as high as he did, but you'll see him develop his own unique style over time. Most guys find their own niche and their own way of making their career. I think there is no question that he is going to play in the NHL and be very successful.
class proud special
To be in that class is very special for me and something I'm very proud of.