Rod Brind’Amour aimed to build a perennial contender. He’s made the Carolina Hurricanes exactly that

By AARON BEARD The Associated Press

FILE - Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour speaks to his team during a timeout in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, in Raleigh, N.C., Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. Brind'Amor has turned Carolina into a regular among the league's elite with its relentless on-ice style, along with making the Hurricanes the betting favorite to win the Cup on the eve of this year's playoffs. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Karl B DeBlaker]

MORRISVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Rod Brind’Amour has gone from first-time head coach to one of the NHL’s best in leading the Carolina Hurricanes to six straight postseason appearances. Brind’Amour is trying to win a Stanley Cup as a coach after being the captain on Carolina’s 2006 winner. Brind’Amour generally praises players and staff while deflecting credit when asked about Carolina’s success. But his work in establishing a winning culture with a talented, experienced and deep roster has been critical in changing a franchise that had missed nine straight postseasons before he took over. Carolina opens the playoffs Saturday against the New York Islanders.