Glen Wesley Night at the RBC Center turned out to be a well-orchestrated, well-done affair Tuesday, impressive enough to leave the former defenseman calling it "surreal" afterward.
The ceremony to retire Wesley's No. 2 jersey was much like that in 2006, when Ron Francis became the first Hurricane to have his jersey — No. 10 — so honored.
As Francis said to Wesley in a taped message, "Welcome to the rafters."
There was one notable difference in the two ceremonies — team owner Peter Karmanos was not in attendance Tuesday night. His son, team executive Jason Karmanos, stood in for him.
"He was tied up with a previous commitment," president and general manager Jim Rutherford said today. "He was gone for a week — out of his office. He tried to get here but couldn't."
Rutherford was pleased with the pregame proceedings.
"It was a well-deserved honor and a great ceremony," Rutherford said. "Glen's speech was well thought-out."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
PK
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 15:53 — cathie45I totally agree with all comments about PK. He walks all over everybody anyway. Theonly reason he didn't like Lavy is because everyone else loved him as a coach and a person. He couldn't walk over him. Thank God for Lavy and 2006!Jason Karmanos is easier on the eyes anyway.
I dont give PK a hard time.
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 20:38 — SubwayScoundrelI dont give PK a hard time. He brought hockey to Raleigh and he is the one that has kept it here. He can do what he wants. Fine with me. The alternative means I have to go to railhawks games.
PK
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 19:36 — vortacDoes he even realize that the Canes have been losing? He doesn't seem involved with the team...except when it involves insulting Lavi.
Not exactly news...
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 19:07 — lightthelampThe guy is here, what, 3 days a year? I doubt that many noticed or cared that he wasn't there.
That's a positive
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 17:09 — CanarseIf PK had shown up it is likely he would have opened his mouth and said something stupid. The less of that guy the better.
Did anyone miss him?
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 14:47 — mokimanoPK would have been booed out of the building after his no class comments about Laviolette a few weeks back...and his bonehead decision to approve MO coming back into the fold as head coach. Karmanos has Rutherford to do all his dirty work for him...Jimmy is not going anywhere as long as Karmanos owns this team.
Not Really
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 16:00 — schelle92I totally agree with mokimano. I noticed he wasn't there, but I have completely lost respect for PK after his classless comments about Lavi, keeping JR, re-hiring Moe...do I need to go on?
Previous engagement?
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 13:57 — JRs_FaultRubbish... this has been on the calendar since (before) the beginning of the season.
Must have been having a job orientation dinner with Kwame.
What a chuckle head
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 13:44 — esteban1949but it must have been planed out a year in advance then...remind me never to send him and invitation to a one car funeral...he'd miss that too.
Go canes !!
maybe out ......
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 13:20 — Hockeydoglooking for a new GM. Sorry, I could not resist. No playoffs should equal no Rutherford.