WRAL Sports Fan

WRALSportsFan

Hurricanes Offer Francis Job In Front Office

Jul 14, 2004

RALEIGH, N.C. — If Ron Francis returns to the Carolina Hurricanes, it will not be as a player.

Hurricanes president Jim Rutherford and Francis met Tuesday to discuss the former team captain coming back to the organization as director of player development.

Francis, 41, has not made a decision on the offer and is still considering whether he will return to the NHL for a 24th season. He needs just 37 games to pass Gordie Howe and Mark Messier to become the NHL's all-time leader in games played.

Francis spent 16 seasons with the Carolina franchise before he accepted a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs in March.