Forgotten Canes: Cory Stillman Goes "Back to Back"


      When the name Cory Stillman is mentioned among Canes fans, memories of his 76 point (21g 55a) 2005-2006 season that placed him tied for second on the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes likely come to mind. Or maybe it was the Left Wingers point per game pace in the playoffs, which saw him once again trail only Eric Staal in scoring with a respectable 26 points (9g, 17a) in 25 games. Perhaps it was his two point performance in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals where his goal and assist allowed Carolina to tie the series 2-2 with a 2-1 win. No matter how Canes fans remember Cory Stillman, the team would not have a Stanley Cup on their resume without his efforts.

     Cory Stillman began his pro career in 1992 as the 6th overall pick of the Calgary Flames. After spending a few years in the American Hockey League (AHL), Stillman made the NHL and never looked back staying with Calgary until the 2000-2001 season when he was traded to the St. Louis Blues. His time there was short as he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. The trade paid off in spades  for the Tampa Bay Lightning as Stillman registered 80 points as the team hoisted there first Stanley Cup by defeating Stillman's old team the Calgary Flames in an exciting seven game series.

     At this point in his career Cory Stillman becomes an interesting piece of Hockey Trivia as he becomes the first player to win back to back Stanley Cups over three "seasons" with two different teams. After the 2003-2004 season the NHL endured a season long lockout cancelling the 2004-2005 season. On August 2, 2005 he signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, and was part of the aforementioned Stanley Cup Run. In the NHL History books Stillman is listed as the eleventh person in NHL history to win "back to back" titles  with different teams. However, only Stillman has the unique circumstance of his being divided by a missed season due to lockout or injury.

     Stillman remained with the team until the 2008 trade deadline, when he agreed to waive his no trade clause and was dealt to the Ottawa Senators along with Mike Commodore in exchange for Joe Corvo for Patrick Eaves. Stillman would only serve as a rental in Ottawa as he signed with the fifth team in his Career the Florida Panthers during the Free Agency period of 2008. In Florida he would play in his 1000th career game and a week later be dealt back to the Carolina Hurricanes to finish his career as he announced his retirement in September of 2011.

     His Carolina Hurricanes career spanned 191 games scoring 165 points (52g 113a) upon his retirement Stillman took a position with the Hurricanes as the Director of Player Development and Dierector of Forwards development. A position he would retain until he took a job as the head coach of the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). A position in which he remains in today. However, No matter where he is Cory Stillman and his unique career acheivement will always be a part of Carolina Hurricanes folklore. Thanks for reading and Redvolution,
The Caniac Collector





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