Carolina Hurricanes: 1998-99 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rod Brind'Amour

Veteran Ron Francis was added to the Hurricanes roster in an offseason grab. He was instantly named alternate captain of the team and rightfully so. He had won two consecutive Stanley Cups with the Penguins in the early 90s, and he knew how to lead a team to victory. Without surprise he showed up as a Hurricane, recording 52 points in his first year. Latvian goaltender Arturs Irbe was picked up via free agency on September 10, 1998.

He was a needed asset to a team that struggled with goaltending.

Despite his highs and lows, Irbe showed his worth to the team for several seasons to come. Defenseman Marek Malik was picked up after a two season absence from the NHL. He contributed 11 points in his first year as a Hurricane. Rod Brind'Amour was a member of the Flyers during the 1998-99 NHL season.

Answer: Arturs Irbe

Despite being a worthy starter in the 1997-98 season, Trevor Kidd's game faltered in 1998-99. The previous season, Kidd played in 47 games, had three shutouts, and a 0.922% save average. After Irbe's introduction, Kidd became the number two goalie. Thus, he only played in 25 games, recording a 7-10-6 record, with a 2.70 GAA, 2 shutouts and a 0.905% save average. Irbe, on the other hand rebounded from a pitiful season in Vancouver.

He played 62 games for the Hurricanes, recording a 27-20-12 record with a 2.22 GAA, another worldly 0.923% save average and a franchise high six shutouts.

He finished seventh in Vezina Trophy voting that year.

Answer: Keith Primeau

In the 1997-98 season, both Keith Primeau and Sami Kapanen shared the team lead in points, with 63. In 1998-99, Keith Primeau was the lone points leader. He recorded 62 points in 78 games. Sami Kapanen came close but had only 59 points in 81 games. Ron Francis came in third with 52 points.

Answer: Irbe had three shutouts in four games whereas Kidd had three in a row

In his first season with the Carolina Hurricanes, Arturs Irbe established a career high in shutouts with six. At one point during the season, Irbe had three shutouts in four games. On December 12, 1998, Irbe made 35 saves to defeat the Red Wings 3-0. On December 15, 1998, Irbe made 29 saves to defeat the Oilers 3-0. On December 18, Irbe and the Canes were defeated 5-1 by Ottawa, before Irbe rebounded on December 23 with a 1-0 victory over the Rangers.

Answer: Keith Primeau and Arturs Irbe

Both Keith Primeau and Arturs Irbe were voted into the All-Star game. Neither were on first All-Star teams but both were more than worthy to be in the game. Keith Primeau did not win any skills events, nor did he get any points in the All-Star game itself. Arturs Irbe won the goaltender competition, making 14 saves on 16 shots in multiple one-on-one breakaways.

The World team ended up losing the All-Star game 8-6. Despite losing, Arturs Irbe became the first goaltender in All-Star history to record an assist during the All-Star game.

He assisted Teemu Selanne on his early second period goal.

Answer: The Hurricanes had less goals for than goals against

The team captain for the Hurricanes was Keith Primeau. He was appointed after Kevin Dineen was traded away. The Hurricanes only rotated two goaltenders during the season. They were Arturs Irbe and Trevor Kidd. They played 62 games and 25 games respectively. Paul Coffey was also a member of the team.

The esteemed defenseman played in 114 contests for the Hurricanes, over two seasons. He scored 13 goals and 37 assists for a total of 50 points.

Answer: Yes

The 1998-99 season marked the final season that the Hurricanes played at the old Greensboro Coliseum. A new, more convenient arena was constructed for the team to play in for years to come. The new arena would be in the middle of the Raleigh Chapel Hill Triangle, a convenient area for spectators.

The Greensboro was located far away from Raleigh, and thus, attendance and financial statistics were disappointing.

Answer: Adam Burt for Andrei Kovalenko

The only trade on the list that occurred was a trade between Adam Burt and Andrei Kovalenko. The Flyers accepted Burt, a solid, low-scoring defenseman. In 737 games, Burt had a career total of 152 points. Carolina took Kovalenko from the Flyers, a right winger with a tendency for hot and cold seasons. In his first season with the Canes, Kovalenko scored 12 points in 18 games.

Answer: Boston Bruins

With their first playoff berth and first ever division title, the Hurricanes looked to defeat the Bruins. The Hurricanes were defeated 2-0 in game one. The Hurricanes won game number two in overtime by a score of 3-2. The Hurricanes then took a series lead by defeating the Bruins 3-2 again.

The Bruins then defeated Carolina 4-1 in regulation, 4-3 in double overtime, and 2-0 to clinch the series 4 games to 2. For a first ever playoff experience, critics and fans agreeed that the Hurricanes played well.

Answer: Chiasson was driving under the influence and he crashed on his way home.

After the Hurricanes were eliminated by the Bruins, Gary Roberts threw a party in his house for the team. After getting a few drinks in him, Steve Chiasson foolishly decided that he was fit enough to drive home. After totaling his car and losing his life, county police figured out that his blood alcohol content was over three times the legal limit. Steve Chiasson was drafted 50th overall by Detroit in 1985.

In 751 games for the Red Wings, Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers, and Carolina Hurricanes, Steve Chiasson ended his career with 93 goals and 305 assists, a respectable total for any d-man.