Ok maybe calling Bates Battaglia a favorite player is a little strong. He’s more like everybody’s favorite forgotten player that you don’t remember at all until somebody brings him up because he owns a restaurant in Raleigh. Rolls off the tongue right? Yeah, I didn’t think so either. Still, Bates Battaglia holds a special place in all Carolina Hurricanes’ fans heart for being part of the first cup run in 2002. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves, though, and start at the beginning.
Battaglia’s Career with the Hurricanes
The Anaheim Ducks drafted Battaglia in the sixth round of the 1994 NHL draft but he would never play a game for the franchise.