The NHL's definition of class

This nod goes to an individual who I have always admired and followed since childhood days growing up in Fairfield, CT, when it was an annual ritual to attend at least 20 Hartford Whalers games in "The Mall."

Ron Francis of the Carolina Hurricanes has a special place in our memories and he deserves to be recognized for the great athlete and person that he is.

Every sport has that special athlete who produces year after year after year.

An athlete who is a true sportsman in every sense, and an athlete that usually goes unrecognized because they don't seek publicity or self-promotion.

This type of athlete is a true team player, an ambassador for their respective sport. In hockey that individual is Ron Francis.

Francis broke into the NHL in 1981 with the Hartford Whalers and after 21 years his story is still not complete.

He has been a Hall of Fame player from his very first face-off.

Francis led the Whalers in scoring five different times and assists in all but one season.

In 1991, Francis was dealt to the Penguins and had a large role in helping the Pens win the Cup in 91 and 92.

Now he skates for the Hurricanes, where he has been scoring, assisting and winning face-off after face-off since 1998.

All told Francis has amassed 502 goals, 1,169 assists (tied for second all-time), 1,671 points in 1,542 games (not including playoffs).

If you can still produce in the NHL after playing in that many games, there should be no doubt about your skill, heart and love of the game.

When asked to describe his career, Francis answered: "I just try to prepare myself as best I can in the summer time and I still really enjoy playing the game. As long as you're healthy and enjoy playing, that goes a long way to helping you have success".

Francis added, "It's no real secret, just luck more than anything."

That response says it all about Francis, always the professional both on and off the ice, and a role model for any hockey fan.

If you know anyone who has aspirations of playing hockey, be sure to give them the book on Ron Francis.

But be patient, because that book still has a few more chapters to go before it can be published.

Francis deserves his spot right next to all the other hockey greats that have stepped onto the ice.

The following quote, which was found on ESPN.com, sums it up best about Francis --

"You don't hear about him, but he deserves it. He just goes with the flow and plays the game because he loves the game." -- Jeff Daniels, Raleigh News & Observer, on Ron Francis continuing to achieve records with little notoriety.