Ron Francis Biography

Ron Francis, born on March 1, 1963, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current NHL executive. He has played 23 seasons for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Drafted fourth overall in 1981, Francis served as captain of the Whalers from 1985 to 1990 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He retired as the second-leading assist leader in NHL history with 1,249 assists, and he ranks fourth in career points with 1,798. In 2006, Francis joined the Carolina Hurricanes as director of player development and later became director of hockey operations in 2011. He was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017, recognizing his impact over a century of league history. As a youth, Francis competed in the 1975 and 1976 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Sault Ste. Marie.