Next stop for Brind'Amour, Toronto

In the National Hockey League, you have two types of players. The flashy, first-line guys that light up the scoreboard every night (see Alex Ovechkin), and the not-so-flashy second and third liners that consistently win faceoffs and cycle the puck down low. Look up the definition of that second group in the dictionary and you'll find Rod Brind'Amour.

The Ottawa native known as "Rod the Bod" was known for his intense workout sessions, often heading straight to the gym after the game and staying there until the lights went out. Brind'Amour spent his lone college season with the Michigan State Spartans after being drafted 9th overall in the 1988 entry draft by the St. Louis Blues.

Brind'Amour joined the Blues at the end of the collegiate hockey season for the 1989 playoffs. He made his debut against the Minnesota North Stars in game 5 of the Blues' divisional semifinal and scored on his first career shot on goal. Following the 1990-91 season, Brind'Amour was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he would become one of the Flyers' most popular players. It was there that Brind'Amour cemented himself as one of the NHL's career iron men, starting in a franchise record 484 consecutive games.

Following an ankle injury during the 1999-2000 season, Brind'Amour was traded to Carolina for Keith Primeau. Neither player was happy with the trade at the time, but during the 2001-02 season Brind'Amour officially put the Hurricanes on the map. He teamed up with Bates Battaglia and Erik Cole to form the infamous "BBC line," leading the Hurricanes on a Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Finals before falling to Detroit in five games.

Brind'Amour never scored the flashy goal. In fact, his most famous tally might have been the go-ahead goal in game one of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. After the Hurricanes overcame a 3-goal deficit to tie the game late, Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson misplayed the puck behind his net with under a minute remaining. Right on cue, "Rod the Bod" was there, stealing the puck from Roloson, scoring the empty net goal and changing the entire complexion of the series.

For most Hurricanes fans, the one memory that will always be etched in their minds will be seeing an emotional Brind'Amour hoisting the Stanley Cup at the end of that seven game series. Brind'Amour tore his ACL during the 2007-08 season but returned to the Hurricanes in 2008-09 to lead them to the eastern conference finals, exemplifying his dedicated work ethic.

Brind'Amour's career was characterized by gritty, classy play. He showed younger players the ropes and set the standards in the dressing room. When his playing career was winding down, he gave up his captain's "C" to a younger Eric Staal, knowing that he had solidified his legacy and couldn't play the game he loved forever.

Brind'Amour was a classic hockey player and set the standard for how the game should be played. He might not be on the ice next season, but after accepting a job with the Hurricanes' front office, he'll be around.

Brind'Amour played in the NHL for a remarkable 21 seasons, and when he receives that call from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, he'll be remembered forever.

Nagy, Beam sweep A-10 awards

Even in the off-season, the Charlotte 49ers are making headlines. Senior Corey Nagy of men's golf and senior Hailey Beam of women's soccer were named the A-10's Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year for their outstanding accomplishments both on and off the playing field. The voters were comprised of the athletic directors of the A-10.

This marks just the fourth time in conference history that one school has swept the awards and the first time since the 2001-02 season. With the sweep, Charlotte now has five award winners in just five years in the league.

Nagy, who was the first Niner athlete to earn All-American honors in each of his four years, was voted as a second team all-America by Golfweek and the GCAA. A psychology major, Nagy graduated cum laude with a cumulative 3.60 GPA while leading the Niners to four straight A-10 titles and four straight NCAA appearances. Nagy was instrumental in Charlotte's back-to-back NCAA top 10 finishes in 2007 and 2008 and was part of the team that was ranked as a consensus No. 1 in the fall of 2007. Nagy finished his 49er career as the most decorated golfer in program history.

Beam, the women's soccer program's first consensus all-America selection, was also a two-time A-10 Midfielder of the Year and two-time A-10 Women's Soccer Student-Athlete of the Year.

She finished her Niner career with 103 total points. Her 36 goals equal the 49ers all-time record and her 31 career assists rank her second in the program's history. Beam graduated magna cum laude with a 3.81 GPA in finance and marketing.

College Player Watch: John Brantley

John Brantley could have started at quarterback anywhere else for the last two years. Problem was, he was on the same depth chart as Tim Tebow. But Brantley always wanted to be a Florida Gator, as both his father and brother attended UF. Brantley might not have the inspiring words of Tebow, but something he does have that Tebow lacked is a pocket presence.

The 6-foot-3-inch, 218-pound Brantley has the pro-style arm that Tebow was without but still has the ability to make the occasional play on the ground. Brantley is unproven, and it will be a tough task taking over for one of the most accomplished players in the history of college football. Brantley finished his high school career with a FHSAA record 99 career touchdown passes, one more than the aforementioned Tebow.

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

College Player Watch: Stephen Garcia

Garcia was a hot recruit coming out of high school, and some might say he's underachieved. At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, he has a big arm and good mobility, and showed the ability to make plays from inside the pocket and with his feet.

An average season in 2009, Garcia completed just 55 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,862 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. After getting off to a strong start, including a win over fourth-ranked Ole Miss, the Gamecocks floundered down the stretch. Behind a dismal offensive line, Garcia threw eight interceptions over the final eight games and ended the season with an ugly loss to UConn in the Papa John's Bowl

Garcia didn't have any time to make plays in 2009, but behind an improved offensive line he'll have the full reigns to Steve Spurrier's offense in 2010. While he can run (186 yards and four touchdowns), he isn't the perfect fit for Spurrier's complex offense and probably won't be able to accomplish everything the old ball coach wants to. If Garcia can't produce in the early-going, Spurrier won't hesitate to pull the plug and make some dramatic changes.

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus