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Erik Cole is a Special Rookie
Playing for Carolina in Playoffs

by NHL | May 1, 2002

quote

"I'm content to keep things low-key here."

•	Carolina Hurricanes
•	Uniform No. 26

factsheet

•Left Wing
•Ht: 6'0"
•Wt: 185 lbs
•Catches: Left
•Born: 11/06/78
•Hometown: Oswego, New York

bio

•Acquired: 3rd round I71st overall) by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft
•Scored 49 goals in 40 games his junior year of high school.
•ECAC First Team All-Star Team (1999)
•NCAA East Second All-American Team (1999)
•ECAC Second All-Star Team (2000)
•Signed a multi year contract with the Hurricanes on March 26th, 2000
•Recorded first career NHL point-October 7th, 2001.
•Recorded first career NHL goal-October 24th, 2001
•Recorded first career NHL playoff goal and point-April 17th, 2002
•Grew up as a Pittsburgh Penguins fan.

net links

•	Carolina Hurricanes
•	Diversity Task Force

Throughout the 2001-2002 season, the Carolina Hurricane's rookie forward Erik Cole tended to stay out of the spotlight while managing to finish regular season play fourth among rookies in scoring. In addition, Cole contributed significantly to helping his team reach the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and hopes to help lead Carolina to a Stanley Cup Championship.

Although hockey fans and analysts rarely included Cole in discussions of potential rookie of the year candidates, Cole did not let this affect his play, saying, "I'm content to keep things low-key here and stay under everybody's radar because it's easy to adjust."

Pretty smart words for a 23-year-old rookie just starting to make his presence felt in the NHL. While Cole may not have been a household name during regular season play, his performance against the defending Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Devils introduced hockey fans outside of Carolina to his aggressive, hard-working style of play.

In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Cole scored what turned out to be the game winning goal, giving his team a solid start to a hard fought series. In game 2, Cole score the game tying-goal while demonstrating his hard hitting style and giving Carolina the momentum it needed to win the series.

Cole may have kept a low profile this past year, but with the success he's already seeing, that might not be so easy in years to come.

Cole spent his high school hockey career in Oswego, New York and Des Moines, Iowa, returning to upstate New York to attend Clarkson University. During his college career, Cole was named to the all ECAC All-Star Team twice, once as a first team player and once as a second team player. He also earned a spot on the NCAA Second Team All-America Team.

The Carolina Hurricanes drafted Cole in the 3rd round of the NHL Entry Draft during his freshman year at Clarkson. After a successful college hockey career, Cole played for the IHL Cincinnati Cyclones from 1999-2001, tallying 27 goals and 23 assists in 78 games. The Hurricanes called Cole up to play during the 2001-2002 season and he began his career as an NHL player. At the conclusion of the 2001-2002 regular season, Erik finished fourth among rookies in scoring. Cole's hard work and dedication have made him an integral part of the Carolina offense. He skates for every loose puck, takes shots on goal and he's not afraid to play aggressively. Most importantly though, Cole has remained humble during his rise to being an everyday player in the NHL. Combine this with his great hockey sense and you have the makings of a future NHL star.

Erik finished fourth among rookies in scoring.

Do your teammates have any nicknames for you?
Colesy

How early do you arrive at the arena for games?
2 hours and fifteen minutes before the game.

What is the best way to avoid injuries?
Eat right, sleep right and always prepare your body by stretching.

Do you surf the Internet often?
Yeah, I guess so. Maybe an hour a day.

What do you like to order at nice restaurants?
Steak and potatoes

If you found a genie in a lamp, what would your first wish be?
That I could play hockey forever

Favorite breakfast cereal?
Fruity Pebbles.

Besides practice and dedication, what's required to make it to the NHL?
Everyone around you. All your influences like your family and your friends and people that are close together. Your parents lug you all over the place and your friends point things out to you. They are your biggest and your best critics.

What was your favorite recess game in school?
Kickball!

The Canes called Erik up during the 2001-2002 season.

Is there an NHL player you'd like to have your picture taken with?
Ronnie Francis.

Do you like to watch other ice sports?
I like speed skating.

What's your favorite video game?
Ms. Pac-Man.

Who's your best friend in the league?
Willie Mitchell (Minnesota Wild)

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