Ron Francis

Ronald "Ron" Francis (born March 1, 1963 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada), is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centerman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs. He now serves as the Hurricanes' Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Development.

Francis was drafted to the NHL by the Whalers in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, 4th overall from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. He played 10 years with Hartford, captaining the team for a while and establishing team records for goals, assists, points and games played.

He was dealt to the Penguins in 1991 along with Ulf Samuelsson for Zarley Zalapski and John Cullen. This deal proved to be extremely good for the Pens, who had Francis centering the second line, while Mario Lemieux centered the first - this helped the team win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992.

Although it had since moved to Raleigh, Francis signed with his former team in 1998 when he joined the Carolina Hurricanes. He was their captain for one season, 2001-02, season where the team reached the Stanley Cup finals, only to lose to the Detroit Red Wings.

Francis played briefly for the Maple Leafs when the Canes traded him in March 2004. He would retire prior to the 2005-06 season.

Francis won the NHL Plus/Minus Award, the Frank J. Selke Trophy and the Lady Byng Trophy in 1995; he won the Lady Byng twice more afterward, in 1998 and 2002; that year, Francis also won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. He also took part in the NHL All-Stars Games of 1983, 1985, 1990 and 1996.

Francis' cousin Mike Liut also played in the NHL; he spent 13 seasons between the pipes of the St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers and Washington Capitals.

Achievements

 * 1983- played in NHL All-Star Game
 * 1985- played in NHL All-Star Game
 * 1990- played in NHL All-Star Game
 * 1991- Stanley Cup (Pittsburgh)
 * 1992- Stanley Cup (Pittsburgh)
 * 1995- Alka-Seltzer Plus Award
 * 1995- Frank J. Selke Trophy
 * 1995- Lady Byng Trophy
 * 1996- played in NHL All-Star Game
 * 1998- Lady Byng Trophy
 * 1998 Honorary doctorate degree from Lake Superior State University
 * 2002- Lady Byng Trophy
 * 2002- King Clancy Memorial Trophy
 * 2007- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame