Face of the Franchise

It always amazed me how a fan can sit back, think of the organization they love and follow religiously—and always think of just ONE particular player who was the soul and face of that team.

I include myself in this. When I sit back and think of my favorite teams, such as the New York Jets, I think about Wayne Chrebet. I'm not saying that he was the face of the entire franchise, but he instilled something into the organization that will forever live on in that team and the hearts of New York fans.

In hockey it is no different.

I sat back and thought about all 30 franchises, and wrote down who popped into my mind. They aren’t just players, they are that team.

Anaheim Ducks: Paul Kariya

Kariya was the heart and soul of Anaheim for many years. He put the Ducks on the map in the NHL and is still remembered this day as a Mighty Duck.

Atlanta Thrashers: Ilya Kovalchuk

Kovalchuck came into the league and took hockey by storm in Atlanta. Who knows how many years he will actually play with the Thrashers—but for now, he is that team.

Boston Bruins: Ray Bourque

Even though Bourque guided the Bruins to the Cup Finals in 1988 and 1990, his team lost both series to the Oilers. He never fulfilled his dream of winning a Cup in Boston, but Bourque will forever be remembered as the face of the Bruins.

Buffalo Sabres: Gilbert Perrault

The playmaking center played his entire 17-year career with the Sabres, and guided the prolific trio called “The French Connection”.  Almost won Buffalo the Cup in 1975, but lost to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Calgary Flames: Theo Fleury

Who else could you really choose in Calgary? He holds a lot of the team records, won a Stanley Cup and guided them to many postseasons. Fleury is the face of Calgary hockey, but Jarome Iginla is going to have his say in a few years.

Carolina Hurricanes: Ron Francis

Francis is an original Hurricane. Being drafted by and playing his first years with the Hartford Whalers, he than went on to star with the Penguins before coming back to the “Whaler” organization and joining the Hurricanes.

Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Mikita

The center from Slovakia brought a cup to Chicago in 1960, and is the team leader in games played, assists, and points.

Colorado Avalanche: Joe Sakic

Sakic, a Canadian-born Croatian, has been with the Avs his whole career, dating back to their Quebec Nordique days. When you think of hockey in Colorado, you think of Joe Sakic.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Nash

This is really a toss up. Another young organization with young players. It could fairly go to David Vyborny as well, but Nash is the fan favorite in Columbus.

Dallas Stars: Mike Modano

He was with them in Minnesota and he is with them in Dallas. You will see the leadership Modano holds when he has to take care of Sean Avery this year.

Detroit Red Wings: Steve Yzerman

Did you really think it would be anyone else?

Edmonton Oilers: Wayne Gretzky

The Stanley Cups, the fans, the media, the three-ring circus. Everything Gretzky brought to Edmonton is still fresh in the minds of Oiler fans.

Florida Panthers: Scott Mellanby/Olli Jokinen

Another team I am torn on. Scott Mellanby stayed as others kept coming and leaving, and the same goes for Jokinen.  They are both on a horrible team that rarely contends. They both deserve it.

Los Angeles Kings: Wayne Gretzky

The Great One is so great that he is mentioned twice on the list. Although Luc Robitaille could be fairly mentioned here—he had some great years in LA and was a huge fan favorite. But Gretzky, as in Edmonton, brought the fanfare and the media to West Coast hockey.

Minnesota Wild: Marian Gaborik

My question is, why haven’t the Wild organization just give Gaborik what he wants already? He has been very loyal to the Wild franchise and is a quiet leader.

Montreal Canadiens: Maurice “Rocket” Richard

His name is still echoed amongst the fans at the Bell Centre (a.k.a the Molson Centre). The captain of five straight Cups will always be the face of this franchise.

Nashville Predators: David Legwand

Another organization that you can toss up in the air. Legwand has been with them from the beginning, and the fans will always remember him for being there through the tough times and the great times.

New Jersey Devils: Martin Brodeur

Marty has kept the Devils in games that they should have been long out of, and has kept the fans in the seats for many years.

New York Islanders: Denis Potvin

Because no matter where you go in the US or Canada, Potvin still sucks.

New York Rangers: Mark Messier

The Rangers have had great players—but who else came to New York, promised to win a Cup, and actually succeeded? Messier will always bleed blue to Ranger fans.

Ottawa Senators: Daniel Alfredsson

He leads the Senators in games played, goals, assists, and points, which means he’s been a Senator for many years. The fans still love and respect Alfredsson.

Philadelphia Flyers: Bobby Clarke

The captain of the Broad Street Bullies put himself back in the limelight in recent years with his now-infamous rift with former Flyers captain Eric Lindros.

Phoenix Coyotes: Shane Doan

Would you really want to be the face of this franchise?

Pittsburgh Penguins: Mario Lemieux

What Gretzky and Messier did for hockey in LA and New York, Mario did for hockey in Pittsburgh—which puts him at the top of the list with all the other greats.

San Jose Sharks: Owen Nolan

When Owen Nolan left the Quebec Nordiques for the Sharks, they were a weak team. But his fire and will made the Sharks a competitive team, which the fans in San Jose appreciated.

St. Louis Blues: Brett Hull

Another player who kept a struggling team alive, earning the love and respect of its  fans.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Vincent Lecavlier

Vinny will finish his career out in Tampa Bay after the massive deal he signed this year.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Mats Sundin

No matter where Sundin goes this offseason, he will always be Mr. Maple Leaf.

Vancouver Canucks: Trevor Linden

A 20-year vet who has played the majority of his career in Vancouver. The fans never get sick of Trevor in Canada.

Washington Capitals: Peter Bondra

Watch your back, Peter—there is a slick, fast, amazing Russian by the name of Alexander Ovechkin who is going to steal this title from you (if he hasn’t already).

You can check out more of Jonathan's articles at www.nyrnation.com or www.mvn.com