Frederik Andersen finally has the ring that goes with last season’s run in Carolina.
The 38-year-old goalie, now with the Oilers on a one-year deal, received his Stanley Cup championship ring from Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky in the visitors’ dressing room at Rogers Place on Wednesday morning. Andersen had stopped by to see old teammates after Carolina’s practice in Edmonton, with the Hurricanes set to face the Oilers on Thursday night.
His path to this moment has been a little unusual. After winning the Cup with Carolina, Andersen spent part of his day with the trophy at Legoland in Denmark, but he missed the Hurricanes’ banner-raising night and the rest of the in-season celebration. Since then, he’s been rehabbing with Edmonton and helping young goaltender Devon Levi settle in with the Oilers.
That delayed the ring handoff, but not the appreciation from his old team. Before Tulsky presented it, head coach Rob Brind’Amour made sure Andersen heard exactly where he stands with the group.
“This man, we know who he is, no introduction; he’s always gonna be part of the family,” Brind’Amour addressed his team with Andersen. “You guys are gonna be bonded with him forever, even though he’s on the other group right now. He’s a Hurricane, and I love this guy.”
Tulsky followed with praise of his own.
“You’ve been a rock back there for us; you were incredible in the playoffs,” Tulsky said. “Really honoured to be able to give you this ring.
Congratulations.” Wish I could have been there with you guys when you saw it, but thanks, thanks for doing this.”
Andersen kept it simple, saying he had been waiting for this moment and had made a point of staying away from the early reveal.
“Thanks, boys. Been looking forward to seeing this. Been trying not to look online, but I’ve been looking forward to seeing this for a while,” Andersen addressed his old team.
The ring itself was unveiled in September and comes loaded with detail: nearly 900 stones and a removable puck pendant with Stormy hidden underneath.
Andersen’s regular season with Carolina was uneven, but he found another gear in the playoffs. He was outstanding before an injury in the Stanley Cup Final knocked him out, and Brandon Bussi finished the job. Andersen still ended with a 14-5 record and a +6.0 GSAx.
The next hope is straightforward: get healthy, and maybe help Edmonton chase a Cup of its own this spring.
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