The Playing Career of Ron Francis

[@chrisguardiano6143]

I actually met Ron Francis at the Kraken Community Iceplex (the Kraken's practice rink) a few weeks ago. He was there as a special guest for a kids summer hockey camp. I was there for a doctor's appointment (the facility also has an urgent care). He talked to me about his playing days as well as asking me about the fan experience. Overall a nice guy & an excellent GM, glad we have him in Seattle.

[@sdgakatbk]

That is so awesome! Any good stories?

[@chrisguardiano6143]

@@sdgakatbk he told me the story about how he found out he was being traded to Pittsburgh. He found out like everyone else through news reports since the GM of the Whalers at the time Eddie Johnston did not call him ahead of time. He was shocked when he found out because he was not given the chance to say goodbye to his teammates because he was immediately put on a plane to Pittsburgh.

[@Terminatedd]

No one ever talks about Francis and I wonder why.. Such a good player and great career totals!

[@kj6446]

He is the poster child for being a player who would or could/would have been the best of his generation, but was overshadowed by just enough of the other guys

[@litteralfitness6113]

He was extremely humble and was a very smart player. He wasn't flashy at all, though he had an excellent fake shot pass. He played the game very smart and conservatively, which doesn't make for many outrageous looking plays that usually make the highlight reels. I just finished watching all of the 1992 Pens playoff games recently. Without him the Pens would have never gotten past the Rangers. Francis even outshined Messier in that series

[@strahinjagov]

Bc he played with a couple guys named Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr

[@joew4962]

Amazing player! Quietest great player ever.

[@jchristner82]

Adam Oates, Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic as well as Ron Francis are all right there. Class act players, class act people.

[@justanotherguy1001]

All business no bs.

[@merc340sr]

@@jchristner82 I would add Mike Gartner to the list.

[@dominicpardo4783]

So consistently great. And a class act to boot.

[@GrapPro]

As a Habs fan I was so envious of the two centre superstar teams. Pittsburgh had Lemieux and Francis. Philadelphia had Lindros and Brind'amour. Colorado had Sakic and Forsberg. Detroit had Yzerman and Fedorov. The only time Montreal came close to that depth was 95-96 with Turgeon and Damphousse down the middle in the 90s.

[@emmittmatthews8636]

I think Turgeon belongs in the Hall. Damphouse was really good too, but not quite there.

[@ryanmoore7733]

Lemieux and Jagr got most of the credit in 91 & 92 but without Trottier and Francis l say probably no cups

[@abrahamlincoln9758]

I always would see him playing for Carolina and think, "It's a crime he hasn't won a cup yet." I used to be pretty dumb. I still am, but used to be, too.

[@yoholmes273]

Trots was Mr.Everything for those Penns. Getting Ronny Franchise was just gluttonous. SUPER Mario & The Franchise are right up there with the best 2 top center man on any 1 team ever. Yes, I'm talking to you Mess and Gretz as well....

[@jonah.donohue]

@@abrahamlincoln9758 You're so wise

[@BvG_Venom]

Paul Coffey was around for '91 as well. He got traded in the middle of '92 but he might be the best Dman PIT has ever had

[@billkochuk]

Mitch Hedberg reference! Loved that guy!

[@lenkennedy9214]

The Francis, Lemieux, Jagr line might be the greatest line of all time. Probably my favourite line I've ever seen play. It was something special to watch them play together.

[@stevef4010]

Kicked ass in NHL '93 too

[@GMS-is9dr]

Just think that out of the 3 lemieux had the fewest career points.

[@emmittmatthews8636]

@@GMS-is9dr Not by too much though and hec did that in like 800 less games than them too. Lol

[@emmittmatthews8636]

That was the greatest line I've ever seen. You basically had 3 of the top 5-6 leading scorers in NHL history on one line!! (Had Lemieux been healthy anyway)

[@justanotherguy1001]

Its a shame the 95-96 penguins had no defense. The Petr Nedved 4th overtime goal was a highlight of my childhood.

[@darrylmacdonald5120]

Francis was an all time great player who was mostly overlooked/underrated for most of his career.

[@kylestoddart]

Has got to be the most underrated player of all time.

[@justanotherguy1001]

About time. In my opinion the most underrated player in nhl history.

[@kylestoddart]

100 agree

[@Mach141]

The second cup was won on the back of Francis somehow beating Richter from a center ice shot, in a game when super Mario was injured because Graves broke his wrist, and the rest is history.

[@GRChrzak]

Psst. Shannon, Francis had 60 assists, 83 points in 1984.

[@wilseph1]

The early grey hair adds to the legend.

[@jahmanoog461]

The guy saved as many goals as he scored, constantly tied up players in the center of the D-zone / around the net. Always defensively responsible. PENS fans love him, no Cups without him. All GMs try to replicate Patrick's trade to get the missing pieces.

[@MrVictoria69]

Thanks for posting. The Whalers had that great team for awhile, Verbeek, Cassells, Francis, Burt, Quenville, lots of other guys too.

[@Peksisarvinen]

I was actually thinking that you should a Ron Francis career video like two days ago.

[@gmedina5678]

Great video and recap of the carrier of my all-time favorite player....Ron Francis!

[@emmittmatthews8636]

Francis was my favorite player growing up. I liked that he was just one of those really respected, honorable guys like Sakic or Yzerman, and yet he was so humble too.. A great all around player who was tremendously consistent. Out of all the 500 goal guys he's got the lowest single season high of 32 I think, and the fewest 30 goal seasons with only 3. Just kind of an odd fact.

[@swedreamhack5308]

Incredible player and very reliable. Crazy career stats.

[@nollieflipcrook]

funny thing about that 95-96 year, he was 4th in the nhl in points, and only THIRD on his team behind Mario and Jagr. That Pens team had the #1 and #2 player in goals, and the #1 #2 and #3 guy in assists, and 3 out of the top 4 guys in points. Also, Nedved had 45 goals and 99 points. what a stacked team that was

[@Miller09095]

All the players I knew growing up and this guy slipped under my radar. What an incredible player.

[@SverigeiSverige]

Great video! 👍 Just a little miss, 1983-84 he had 60 assists and 83 points. 72-23-60-83

[@329woody]

Always remember that Scott stevens hit on him. Almost made it to the bench! Great player

[@christhornycroft3686]

Hit or hit on?

[@kylestoddart]

Dude it was Scott Stevens. Lol take a wild guess!

[@gmo9172]

@@kylestoddart Hit on it is then

[@shayantahmorsi8154]

You should do a Bobby Hull career video, I wonder how many more career points he would have if he didn't leave for the WHA.

[@ivangavnov2860]

Class act as a player and GM

[@Robert-ki7bz]

Francis doesn't get the recognition he deserves due to playing for the Whalers and then being overshadowed in Pittsburgh. He didn't miss too many games.

[@leonleon3267]

What a great player francis was, multiple 20 goal seasons for a 2 way centre and an offence beast, super underrated, does not get the plaudits he deserves because he was never a 50 goal man or 140 point like a mario or when mogilny got 70 plus goals plus, but what you did get was a player who was really good defensively and was Mr consistent, i know it may not mean much but ron francis would be one of the first names on my team sheet if i was creating an all time fave or best players ever team

[@michaelkeller5927]

18 straight seasons over 20 goals, not bad for a guy known more for his playmaker abilities

[@bubbaharrod2530]

Can you do a Theo fleury video. When I first started watching hockey he was one of the guys I enjoyed watching and got me into the game

[@sdgakatbk]

One of my favorite players and one who I would have loved to see as a Capital. He would have fit right in with how they played in the 80s and 90s. A good two way center with size. Definitely would have been an upgrade. While Bryan Trottier wasn't as big and was better overall, he does remind me of Trots some.

[@scotsaul3971]

Under rated even with all those points, cups and awards. One of my favourites.

[@MrOctober44]

Fantastic player

[@Oxmen33]

Wow John Cullen is a name I haven't heard in forever. What an incredible video he would be too with everything he had to battle.

[@OnGod1007]

He was a good player it’s too bad he Didn’t get that Cup. He had such a good year he stepped right up. He deserved it.

[@larryn1929]

The 83-84 season was not that big of a setback. He had 23 goals and 60 assists for 83 points. Not 63 points.

[@DrDetfink]

Ron Francis is a legend.

[@WarioSaysSo]

10# Ron Francis Drafted 4th overall, 1981 by the Hartford Whalers. 23 NHL seasons - Representing 4 teams; Hartford Whalers 1981-91, Pittsburgh Penguins 1991-98, Carolina Hurricanes 1998-04 & Toronto Maple Leafs 2004. Games: 1,731, Goals: 549, Assists: 1,249 = Points 1,798 + Play-offs: 171, 46, 97, = 143. # 2-time Stanley Cup champion: 1991 & 1992 with Penguins + finals 2002 with Hurricanes. # IIHF World Championship Silver medalist: 1985. # Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best defensive forward) - 1995. # King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership) - 2002. # 3-time Lady Byng Trophy (Best sportsman) - 1995, 1998 & 2002. # NHL Plus-Minus Award - 1995. # 4-time NHL All-Star Game Player - 1983, 1985, 1990 & 1996. # 10# retired by the Hurricanes (January 28, 2006). # RECORDS: - Currently in 5th place of all-time regular season NHL point leaders with 1,798 points - Currently in 28th place of all-time regular season NHL goals with 549 goals - Currently in 2nd place of all-time regular season NHL assists with 1,249 assists - Currently in 4th place on all-time NHL regular season games played with 1,731 games - First ever Penguins player to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy (1995).

[@WarioSaysSo]

The man deserves SO MUCH more credit then often given. A great 2-way forward, a great face-off player, a great assisting point deliverer, a great sportsman on-and-off the ice and a great leader. He was the to-go-guy for both Mario Lemieuc & Jaromir Jagr in Pittsburgh, where he centred a formidable second line behind Mario Lemieux, as the Penguins won their first Stanley Cup. The threat posed by the Francis-centered second line, formidable in its own right, often required opposing teams to throw their best defenseman against two lines, instead of zeroing in on Lemieux's line, thus creating more opportunities for both top lines. Francis was also known as one of the best face-off men in the NHL in this period, in both the offensive and defensive ends. In power-play and empty-net situations, his key face-off wins often led to Penguin goals. Francis was indispensable the 1991-992 year, as Pittsburgh repeated as champions, in leading the team during the absence of Lemieux in the 1992 playoffs - and in scoring the Cup-clinching goal against the Chicago Blackhawks. Francis would spend seven seasons in Pittsburgh, captaining the team twice, and becoming the first Penguin to win the Selke Trophy in 1995. Its a big shame the team have not retired his 10# for his great service to the franchise. Again, he was THE go-to-guy for both Lemieux & Jagr in the 90's.

[@TheSpeedophile76]

What about the career of Doug Gilmour ? Him and Koivu were one of my first memories of Habs players !

[@nadaduo1765]

Most under rated player ever, top 5 all time in points & won a selke, talk about 200 hundred foot player, won multiple cups as well

[@dylancontento2267]

RONNY FRANCHISE!! Great player and a childhood hero of mine. Wish he could have led those ‘02 Canes to the Cup win.

[@josephwirtz8352]

I was there, it was heartbreaking…

[@September2004]

4:48 It’s curious that Francis had such a weak season offensively. Then again, as Shannon suggested, the Penguins had 6 players at a point-a-game even if most of them didn’t play a full season: 1. Lemieux 2. Stevens 3. Mullen 4. Murphy 5. Coffey 6. Tocchet (30 points 19 games) And Jagr was one point away from getting a point a game. Would be interesting to see his defensive stats from that year.

[@SverigeiSverige]

Classic picture. 👍

[@MySundin13]

It's crazy that that Pens team NEEDED Francis so badly.....and I'm still boggled Mario and Co. only won 2 cups over that six year stretch

[@midimusicforever]

Let's see if he can win a cup with the Kraken before Vegas gets one!

[@Killerbeast-hx5qp]

“F*ck Ron Francis how about that?” -CM Punk

[@doomslayerdave]

If anything Punk was always good at cheap heat. This one was infamous.

[@litteralfitness6113]

Francis is my second favorite player behind Mario Lemieux. Without him there would have not been a second Cup.

[@bobbyr.7578]

they played 84 games in 92-93???

[@SverigeiSverige]

Yes. 93 & 94 - 84 game schedule.

[@LivinLifeLifeless]

How about a career video of PJ Axelsson?

[@vinnievenus3570]

For someone who never had a phenomenal scoring season ? This guy is second in all time assists? And he still scored 549 goals on top of 1249 assists? That’s an impressive iron man status. In line with bob gainey. Iron man play. Or mike Gartner. Pure and simple.

[@Dimas.79]

Always wondered why he was never selected on the Olympic team I remember back in 1998 you had players like Shayne Corson and Rob Zamuner... Most underated player of all time!

[@v4v819]

He couldn't skate!

[@Dimas.79]

@@v4v819 for a guy that couldn't skate 5th all time point getter I still would have had him on the Olympic team any day... especially in 98

[@peterhoagg4348]

I get it but still painful not to see a Whalers jersey for this video.

[@jordza2k11]

Scary thing is, imagine scoring 119 points in a season, not in the 1980s either, and being FOURTH in scoring, best bit is Pittsburgh had 3 of the top 4 (Lemieux 161, Jagr 149 the other 2) tbf imagine scoring almost 150 points in a 82 game season outside of the 1980s and NOT winning Art Ross... even funnier is 90 points the following year got him top 10, if that was 95-96 he'd have been 22nd :P

[@janellemaynait]

The perfect #2 center

[@JeffONeillOverdrive]

Ronny Franchise, Leafs legend.

[@Patrickkanefan88]

😆

[@dustinsindledecker154]

Yeah he was legendary in those 12 games.

[@JeffONeillOverdrive]

@@dustinsindledecker154 an unforgettable & legendary 12 games.

[@brettscheuermann7335]

You have playing career videos, maybe you can create coaching or gm videos to show the big moves gms have made or something like that

[@petrograd4068]

He has done some videos like that in the past

[@dsc4178]

One of my top ten, as usual not a Leaf. My team just drafts okay, some great, just needs a winner.

[@Patrickkanefan88]

My father called him mr. Consistency

[@IceNinja2007]

Top 5 in NHL scoring, and all everyone ever does is talk about Gretzky, Messier, Lemieux, and Howe when it comes to scoring.

[@Leafgreen1976]

Surprised you never mentioned the Stevens hit or did I miss it?

[@faunbudweis]

Francis-Lemieux-Jagr

[@jchristner82]

I mean you can't really ask for any better. Lol

[@faunbudweis]

@@jchristner82 Mario had 161 pts. (in 70 games..), Jagr 149 and Francis 119 in that 95/96 season.. :)

[@jchristner82]

@@faunbudweis unreal

[@thomasw3285]

How would you like to be 4th in the NHL in points, but 3rd on your team? That was Francis in 95-96. That team was maybe the most top heavy team I have ever seen. It was Mario, Jagr, Francis, Nedved, Zubov, Barrasso and almost nothing else. Bummer losing to Florida in the conference finals but I am positive Colorado would have curb stomped them in the playoffs. Come to think of it, I think Francis finished the Pens season 3rd overall (meaning top 3 scorers in the league all being Pens) but I think it was Sakic scored a couple points later that night and moved into 3rd.

[@IceNinja2007]

Ah, good ole' Ronny Franchise

[@Dimas.79]

Also in 1983-84 he had 23G 60A 83 PTS and not 40A / 63 PTS

[@ssmith87]

Being a penguinsfan that guy was fun to watch very intelligent player i hated it when he left.

[@jdjl7223]

@thehockeyguy what about Jyrki Lumme

[@CSHracer]

Should do a Byron Dafoe video!

[@ryancarroll1697]

Seattle's GM?

[@nazcarcup]

Yes

[@OttawaNow]

You have not done Keith Tkachuk yet.

[@rickyaz8640]

If he turns Beniers or Wright into 80% of Ron Francis he’ll be successful in Seattle

[@brendanbishop4254]

ZARLEY

[@jakeaaron]

Ronnie Franchise 🐳

[@donjohnson7768]

do a Cullen video!

[@that_guy0_0]

Either Shannon has a bad memory or KZbin is deleting his videos. I've heard him say "I thought I did this career video" more often now.

[@TheHockeyGuy]

I have been making career videos for over five years. Remembering which ones I did or didn't do just becomes more of a challenge.

[@jasonhackworth3502]

I blame KZbin

[@matthewjamesmullenjr]

“F*** Ron Francis”- CM Punk

[@ssmith87]

If you get a dislike for this video it’s most likely CM Punk😂

[@MonsterHockey9]

ron francis > cm punk 😂

[@1002l]

Why isn't this called hof career?

[@gabe7624]

Bring back the whale

[@OfficialTaliek]

CM Punk not gonna like this video lol

[@killermon117]

don't even know who the guy is.. just wanna be first

[@jchristner82]

Wow.

[@killermon117]

@@jchristner82 Yup wow, don't care

[@jchristner82]

@@killermon117 Well there's no need to be rude. I just thought it surprising that a hockey fan doesn't know Ron Francis.

[@JeffONeillOverdrive]

I’ll give you a hint, he’s a leafs legend.

[@killermon117]

@@JeffONeillOverdrive donèt care