Were I to purchase a named sweater of the Hurricanes, a serious contender would have to be Kevyn Adams. A perennial fourth liner, Kevyn exhibits work ethic and tenaciousness on defense. He centered one of the two penalty kill lines last season that stymied the best powerplay lines in the league. An alternate captain, he was also a great ambassador for the game. (Picture is from a couple of years ago at the Skate with the Canes event. Kevyn was on skates, I’m not that damned short.)
Kevyn ends his 5-year stint as a Hurricane today in trade for a young defenseman from Phoenix. A trade had to happen given the Hurricanes played a 5-man defensive unit in the previous game with injuries to Wesley and newcomer Tim Gleason. And, frankly, Kevyn hasn’t seen the ice time he used to. Laviolette has his choice of penalty killers this season, with stalwarts Brind’Amour and Williams anchoring one and several ad hoc lines featuring Craig Adams, Chad Larose, Trevor Letowski and Eric Belanger, Kevyn hasn’t played the role he had in the past. Add to that the limited opportunities for grinding it out by the fourth line this year, and you see a diminished role. Hopefully he’ll see more play time in Phoenix.
Thanks for everything Kevyn, including the picture.
We’re back!