GLEN WESLEY: A CLASS ACT ALL THE WAY

The Carolina Hurricanes raised Glen Wesley's number 2 to the rafters last night in a touching tribute before they took to the ice against the big defenseman's old squad, the Boston Bruins. Boston won the game, 5-1, but the night truly belonged to Wesley, one of the game's true greats and a class act all the way.

It was extremely fitting that the ceremony took place before the Canes met the Bruins, as those were the only two teams Wesley played for in his 20 NHL seasons (OK, he spent half a season in Toronto, whatever). The 6'0 redhead from Red Deer, Alberta--now working in the front office with the Hurricanes--was the only player to play in Carolina for the club's first ten seasons since moving south from Hartford back in 1997.

Drafted third overall by the Bruins in 1987 (with the pick the Bruins got from Vancouver, along with Cam Neely, for Barry Pederson), Wesley spent his first seven NHL seasons playing alongside Ray Bourque in the Boston Garden. Boston reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice during Wesley's tenure with the team, in 1988 and 1990, both losses to Edmonton. He was dealt to Hartford in 1994 for three first round picks. One of those picks--Sergei Samsonov who went eighth overall to Boston in 1997--is currently in his second season with the Hurricanes and spent last season as a teammate of Wesley in Carolina. Besides a brief stop in Toronto, part of a deadline deal in 2002 (he re-signed with Carolina during the offseason), he truly was a Hurricane, and last night's ceremony was certainly deserved.

Wesley finished his career with 128 goals and 409 assists in 1457 NHL games. He won one Stanley Cup during his illustrious career--in 2006 with the 'Canes--and was always the consumate professional. It was great to see Glen Wesley finally honored for his brilliant career, and his number--along with his legacy--will be with the franchise forever.