Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Hall of Famer Ron Francis has become a part
owner of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Francis, already a member of the team's front office as vice president of
hockey operations, and four others were announced as additional investors on
Wednesday. All are based in North Carolina.
"It is very encouraging that these locally-based investors feel so strongly
about our franchise and its future," said majority owner Peter Karmanos Jr.
"We are proud to have this group of prominent North Carolinians involved with
our team."
Francis retired in September 2005 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of
Fame two years later. He ended his career as the Carolina franchise's all-time
leader in nearly every offensive category, including goals (382), assists
(793), points (1,185) and power-play goals (132).
In 23 NHL seasons, Francis played in 1,731 regular-season games, scored 549
goals, added 1,249 assists and had a total of 1,798 points with
Hartford/Carolina, Pittsburgh and Toronto. He also won a pair of Stanley Cups
as a member of the 1991 and 1992 Penguins.
The other named partners were Ron de Lange, Eliza Kraft Olander and Brian
McHenry.
The Sports Network