THE HURRICANES: A LUNCH BOX TEAM; DIVAS NEED NOT APPLY

  I have liked Joe Corvo from the time he came to Carolina.  When he chose to return to the Hurricanes rather than see the highest payday he could find,  my respect for Corvo increased.  To me,  he summed up the Hurricanes well in a recent interview:

Here is the quote:

After parts of three seasons with Carolina, Corvo, who has played for four teams in his seven seasons, is stepping back into a familiar situation.

“I like just the whole mentality of the organization, especially with the coaches,” he said. “It’s more of just a hard-work mentality and we’re going to have to outwork teams because we’re not super skilled. I feel like I fit into that perfectly.

“That’s my attitude and how I spend my summers and my approach to the game. There’s no transition and I know what to expect. Two years is a pretty short deal if you’re going to a new team and you have to feel your way out a little bit. I’d rather jump right into it and start helping out.”

http://tinyurl.com/37t94pl

By John Manasso
For FoxSportsCarolinas.com
July 9, 2010

   I think the Hurricanes team identity and the organization built around a "no divas" approach.  It was reinforced watching the young prospects at the Rec Zone.  It was clear all of the prospects really love hockey and are down to earth.  I agree with Bob's observations about Jeff Skinner and his superb degree of hustle and drive.  I think the Hurricanes lunch-box style is based on everybody on the team trying to outwork the other team each shift. 

   I also think the Hurricanes organization has worked to find players who pride themselves in their work ethic.  I read a recent article discussing last season with Paul Maurice, and Maurice was quoted as saying he felt he had not done a good job of motivating his team at the start of 2009-2010.  I didn't necessarily agree with Maurice's self-criticism; but I found it revealing on several different levels.  Mainly, I felt that after the trade deadline and particularly after the draft and the re-signing of Corvo,  the team is comprised of players who have high energy and are very much self-motivated.  There may well be coaches who are better than Maurice at "motivating" their players; but I am of the firm conviction that those kinds of motivator coaches burn out their team very quickly.  In my view, if a team isn't already motivated by the time the season starts,  the battle is lost.  On the other hand,  some coaches can inspire their time and convince them they can do the impossible.  To me, the measure of a successful NHL coach is inspiration and not motivation. 

   Watching the young prospects at the Rec Zone with all the Caniacs, young and old,  ready to cheer them on,  was inspiring.  I think it brings out the best in all of us.