March 5, 2009

Now, Cole has Chance to Produce

The following article featuring former Clarkson standout Erik Cole appeared in the March 5 issue of the News & Observer.

 

By Luke DeCock
Staff Writer

RALEIGH -- Funny how things come full circle. The Carolina Hurricanes managed to win the division by a landslide in 2006 without Erik Cole. He was deemed expendable last summer. Now, he's the missing link to get them into the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

Wednesday's trade to bring Cole back to the Hurricanes eight months after they shipped him off to the Edmonton Oilers for defenseman Joni Pitkanen comes at a substantial cost -- the Canes had to give up Justin Williams, who scored the empty-netter to seal the Stanley Cup win in 2006.

Williams was at one point as much of a core player for this franchise as anyone, but he spent too much of the past two seasons on injured reserve. The Canes, in a dogfight for a playoff spot, don't have that luxury, financially or otherwise.

Complete article can be accessed via the News & Observer Web site by clicking here.