When Don Waddell was placed at the top of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018 it raised some eyebrows around the league. After 13 seasons in charge of the now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers Waddell restarted his NHL management career. For three years Waddell was debatably the most overqualified scout in the NHL as a member of the Penguins organization.
In 2014 Waddell moved to Raleigh replacing Jimmy Rutherford as team president. Tom Dundon purchased a majority stake in the franchise in 2018 and shortly after decided to part ways with then-general manager Ron Francis. It made sense for Waddell to step into the role on an interim basis. Dundon kicked some tires of other candidates but a little over a month later Dundon decided to remove the interim tag and Waddell got to work.
Now in his fifth season managing Raleigh’s only professional sports team Waddell has a list of accomplishments. Carolina has a 191-92-34 record under his management. Star players Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, and Pyotr Kochetkov were all drafted by Waddell. Carolina has qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his four seasons. An Eastern Conference Finals appearance in his first season in charge was the icing on the cake as he was named a finalist for GM of the year.
With the Hurricanes’ overtime victory against Dallas Waddell picked up his 500th win as an NHL General Manager. Becoming only the 34th general manager to join the exclusive club. He’s the fourth Hurricanes GM to reach the milestone. Emile Francis (1983-89), Brian Burke (1992-93), and Jimmy Rutherford (1994-14). Francis and Rutherford are both members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Tonight’s win leaves Waddell only twenty-one away from moving into second place for all-time wins in franchise history. Don’s 192 wins place him third. Emile Francis is second with 213. Jimmy Rutherford is far ahead in first place with 655.
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