Forgotten Canes: Niclas "The Secret Weapon" Wallin

Hello Caniacs! First of all allow me to apologize for the time between blogs Hurricane Florence paid my part of the state a visit and stayed like an unwelcomed guest. We are still rebuilding and getting back to the new normal. However, I would like to thank the Carolina Hurricanes for doing all they could to raise awareness and money for the plight of Eastern North Carolina. Going as far as to give free tickets in exchange for canned goods, offer lower lever seats at a fraction of the price and welcoming and honoring 1000 first responders at the Home Opener against the Islanders.

While school is still out where I am out the County is raising money to help replace the school supplies of displaced children. Please consider donating by clicking here.

Now without further ado lets look at a forgotten Cane from times past!

Niclas Wallin was drafted by the Hurricanes out of the Swedish Professional leagues in the year 2000. At 25 years old Wallin was significantly older than your average NHL rookie,and after one year with the International Hockey League' Cincinnati Cyclones, Wallin was called up to the NHL.

During his first year in the league Wallin appeared in 37 games in spot duty and found the back of the net twice during that campaign. The following season The Secret Weapon was born! After a offensively dormant regular season scoring only once, Wallin found the back of the net twice in the playoffs, both times for game winning goals on the way to the Stanley Cup Final defeat to Detroit!

Throughout his tenure with the Canes it would be safe for one to refer to Wallin as a defensive defenseman. He was once the perpetrator of an own goal in 2006 in a bizarre empty,net delayed penalty situation. Yet once again during the 2006 season "The Secret Weapon" was activated. Wallin beat Goaltending Legend Martin Brodeur and scored a memorable Game 2 OT Winner against the Devils that sent the RBC center into a frenzy! It would be Wallin's only goal that postseason but a memorable one it was! 

Wallin stayed with the team until the 2010 trade deadline when he sent to the San Jose Sharks for a draft pick. After two seasons with the Sharks, Wallin returned to Sweden where he retired after oneyear and currently resides as evidenced by the fact I had to but international postage to get the above card signed.

Wallin's jersey will never hang in the PNC rafters, he holds no Canes records to date, but it is a fair assumption to believe that the Cup would not of been raised that special night in June of 2006 had Wallin not found the back of the net earlier in the playoffs!

Thanks For Reading and Redvolution,

The Caniac Collector