COLE HEADING BACK TO CAROLINA

Erik Cole is reuniting with the franchise that he called home for the first six seasons of his NHL career.

In a three-team deal, the Edmonton Oilers traded the left winger to the Carolina Hurricanes less than a year after acquiring him from the same team. In return, the Oilers get Kings center Patrick O'Sullivan, who has 14 goals and 23 assists on the season.

Cole, an Oswego, NY native, was well-liked by the fans of Carolina and should be welcomed back with open arms. The Hurricanes are looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since they won the 2005-2006 Stanley Cup, a championship that Cole was a part of.


Cole has had his share of injuries in the past, including a neck injury that occurred towards the end of that 2005-2006 season. Now that the Hurricanes have him back, they hope he can help them make a run to the postseason.

"Erik was an important player for our team for a long time, and will be an integral part of our push for the playoffs," Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said. ""He's really excited about coming back. I don't think that he was as comfortable in Edmonton. He was used to being here, and he views this as his home."

While in Edmonton earlier this season, Cole still looked back on his career with Carolina and expressed an admiration for his former team and city.

"The fans in Carolina were unbelievable when I played there," Cole said. "They always made it easy for me to go about my business, live my life and enjoy myself and my family. We really had a great time raising our children (Bella and Landon) there and, actually, the plan right now is to retire there unless we find someplace better. I've got family that still lives in Raleigh."

Now, he will be able to experience it all over again and see his family more in the process.

Shawn Marosek