Dieci: The Ron Francis Project - Newspapers
This tier last gained strength on July 23rd, 2007.
Most Teams/General
The Hartford Courant: September 15th, 2005 Edition - The Sports section, which announced Ron Francis' retirement from playing in the NHL. Features a couple of articles about the man and his career. Acquired through CTCaneFan at the Score Boards Carolina Hurricanes Message Board.
The Hartford Courant: June 29th, 2007 Edition - The Sports section, which announced Ron Francis' being elected to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for 2007. * - Latest addition!
The News and Observer: September 15th, 2005 Edition - The Sports section, which announced Ron Francis' retirement from playing in the NHL. Features a two page spread about the man, his career, and what Carolina Hurricanes teammates and co-workers had to say about him.
The News and Observer: June 29th, 2007 Edition - The front page/main section, which announced Ron Francis' going to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a first ballot member of the 2007 class. Acquired with plenty of thanks to JeffBear at the Score Boards Carolina Hurricanes Message Board.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: June 29th, 2007 Edition - The Sports section, which announced Ron Francis' going to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a first ballot member of the 2007 class.
Sault Ste. Marie This Week's Ron Francis Tribute - Featuring stories and pictures of Ronnie, his career, family, and life out the wazoo. Acquired through E-Bay and a former youth hockey teammate of Ron's, and arrived in the mail on March 2nd, 2005, the one year anniversary of the last game at which I saw Francis as a Carolina Hurricane, vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sault Stars
The Sault Star's September 15th, 2005 Edition - The Sports section, which announced Ron Francis' retirement from playing in the NHL. Features three articles about the man, his family, and the Greyhounds, the only junior team for whom Ronnie played. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
The Sault Star's November 19th, 2005 "Tribute To A Champion" - Features photos of Francis and articles with him and his friends and family reflecting upon his career.
The Sault Star's February 3rd, 2006 Edition - The Local News section, announcing the then upcoming Ron Francis Day and Night (February 23rd, 2006) in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
The Sault Star's February 23rd, 2006 Edition - The regular edition for the day of Ron Francis Day/Night in the Soo. The Sports section, featuring an article about the day's then upcoming festivities. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
The Sault Star's February 23rd, 2006 Edition - The Ron Francis Day/Night banquet edition, featuring an entire front cover devoted to Ronnie, his hockey career, and his family. Could only be acquired at the said banquet at the Marconi Club restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
The Sault Star's February 24th, 2006 Edition - The front page and Sports section, featuring coverage about the previous day's Ron Francis Day/Night festivities and banquet. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
The Sault Star's June 29th, 2007 Edition - The front page and Sports section, featuring coverage about Ron's getting elected to the 2007 Hockey Hall of Fame Class on the day before.
USA Today: September 15th, 2005 Edition - A photo of Ron is featured in the upper left corner of the front page. Also featured is an article about his retirement on the second page of the Sports section.
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Sault Star's Soo Greyhounds Tribute - Pays homage to Soo Greyhound players, past and present, including Ron Francis. Acquired through E-Bay and a former youth hockey teammate of Ron's, and arrived in the mail on March 2nd, 2005, the one year anniversary of the last game at which I saw Francis as a Carolina Hurricane, vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Sault Star's Soo Greyhounds 25th Anniversary Special - Limited, #87/200, highlights the history of the Greyhounds, season by season. Brief mentionings of Francis and a photo featured.
The Sault Star's February 25th, 2006 Edition - The Sports section, featuring an article about Ron Francis' induction into the Sault Ste. Marie Hockey Hall of Fame before the OHL game between the Greyhounds and the Windsor Spitfires. Also features a picture of Ronnie being handed a plaque commemorating his induction. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
Hartford Whalers
The Chicago Tribune: October 25th, 1987 Edition: Clippings of the article focusing on the October 24th, 1987 Hartford Whalers game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, where Ronnie scored his 500th NHL career point. Acquired from the owner of WhalersHockey.com.
Hartford Courants
The Hartford Courant: October 25th, 1987 Edition - A clipping of the article focusing on the October 24th, 1987 Hartford Whalers game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks, where Francis scored his 500th NHL career point. Acquired from the owner of WhalersHockey.com.
The Hartford Courant: January 7th, 2006 Edition - Features a couple of articles about "Whalers Appreciation Night" (the January 6th Hartford Wolfpack vs. the Portland Pirates AHL game), and a few photos of Francis, Kevin Dineen, and Ulf Samuelsson.
The Hartford Courant: April 24th, 2006 Edition - Features an article about Ron receiving the Connecticut Sportswriters Award a.k.a. the Gold Key on April 23rd, 2006.
The Hockey News'
The Hockey News: February 18th, 1983 Edition - Features Ron(nie) Francis, Rista Siltanen, and Blaine Stoughton on the front page, and various articles about the Hartford Whalers inside.
The Hockey News: January 20th, 1984 - Features Ron(nie) Francis and Barry Pederson (then on the Boston Bruins) on the front page with a cute "A Pair of Tens" headline, and an article about Ron on the third page. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
The Hockey News: February 24th, 1984 - Contains a brief article about Ron(nie)'s being THN's "Player of the Week" thanks to four goals in the Whalers' 11-0 victory vs. the Edmonton Oilers on February 12th, 1984; and six goals and three assists in three games overall for that week.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins Reports
Penguins Report: April 30th, 1993 (#17 of Volume 2) Edition - Focuses on the Penguins knocking out the New Jersey Devils in the First Round of the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Picture of Ron getting into a very rare fight (with the Devils' Randy McKay) is featured. Acquired with many thanks to Casey Samuelson. * - Latest addition!
Penguins Report: May 14th, 1993 (#18 of Volume 2) Edition - Majority of articles discuss the Pens taking on the Islanders in the Second Round of the 1993 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Photo of Ronnie in a faceoff with the Isles' Travis Green is featured. Acquired with many thanks to Casey Samuelson. * - Latest addition!
Penguins Report: May 28th, 1993 (#19 of Volume 2) Edition - Continues the Penguins/Islanders Round Two coverage. Francis is featured in a picture as the "Finemans' Player of the Month", for his nine points in the Patrick Division Finals (4 goals, 5 assists) and his overtime-setting goal in Game Seven. As a FPotM, Ron got to choose the charity to which the clothing store would donate $100. Acquired with many thanks to Casey Samuelson. * - Latest addition!
Penguins Report: October 1st, 1993 (#2 of Volume 3) Edition - Covers the news and speculation of the then upcoming 1993-94 Penguins and NHL season. Photo of Francis is featured. Acquired with many thanks to Casey Samuelson. * - Latest addition!
Penguins Report: November 12th, 1993 (#5 of Volume 3) Edition - Pays tribute to Ron obtaining his 1,000th point vs. the Quebec Nordiques on October 28th, 1993. Includes his photo on the front cover, an article covering the milestone, a gallery of pictures from career then thus far, and various photos from his Whaler and Penguin days throughout the Report. Acquired with many, many thanks to Casey Samuelson. * - Latest addition!
Penguins Report: November 26th, 1993 (#6 of Volume 3) Edition - Talks about Mario Lemieux's then questionable future because of his then having Hodgekin's Disease, among other tidbits of Penguins news. A photo of Ronnie is featured. Acquired with many thanks to Casey Samuelson. * - Latest addition!
Penguins Report: December 24th, 1993 (#8 of Volume 3) Edition - Has articles about Larry Murphy, Mario Lemieux's then new biography, and the 1993 Penguins At Your Service Charity Dinner. Ron is featured in a couple of pictures in the gallery of the Penguins At Your Service event. Acquired with many thanks to Casey Samuelson. * - Latest addition!
Penguins Report: January 7th, 1994 (#9 of Volume 3) Edition - Amongst other pieces of Pens news, an article comparing Francis to Dale Hawerchuk (then on the Buffalo Sabres) and a photo of the Francis Family in the Penguins' Christmas Party gallery are featured. Acquired with many thanks to Casey Samuelson.
Penguins Report: April 4th, 1997 (#15 of Volume 6) Edition - Brief mentioning of Ron's being the 50th player in NHL history to obtain 400 career NHL goals (along with also getting goal #401) in a 4-1, Penguins victory vs. the Los Angeles Kings on March 29th, 1997. Also noteworthy is an ad for Fox Sports Pittsburgh featuring Francis, Jaromir Jagr, Mario Lemieux, and Petr Nedved.
Penguins Report: July 1997 (#20 of Volume 6) Edition - Picture of Francis with Bryan Trottier featured in an article about then Pens head coach Kevin Constantine's search for assistant coaches. Also worth mentioning is an ad for Talk Radio 1250 WTAE that features what looks to be a comic book/graphic novel styled illustration of a side profile picture of Ronnie.
Penguins Report: October 17th, 1997 (#3 of Volume 7) Edition - Features a brief mentioning about Ron then being the Captain of the Penguins, and a accompanying picture.
Penguins Report: November 14th, 1997 (#5 of Volume 7) Edition - Contains a HUGE article about how underappreciated Francis has always been in the NHL, along with a couple of pictures.
Penguins Report: December 12th, 1997 (#7 of Volume 7) Edition - A couple of pictures of Francis are featured in two articles, one talking about the Penguins' defensive minded system and its then possible effect on the game crowds, and the other about Ron's charity operation and his "Night Outs" for the families of patients at Pittsburgh's Children's Hospital.
Penguins Report: December 26th, 1997 (#8 of Volume 7) Edition - A picture of Ronnie is featured, and briefly mentions the end of his contract with the Pens then coming up and its needed to be taken care of by the front office.
Penguins Report: January 9th, 1998 (#9 of Volume 7) Edition - Contains a poster featuring Ron Francis, most likely because of his hat trick in a December 29th, 1997 game vs. the New York Islanders, which happens to be acknowledged in a snippet that mention how Ronnie tried to impersonate Jaromir Jagr's then infamous salute celebration after he completed his hat trick.
Penguins Report: January 23rd, 1998 (#10 of Volume 7) Edition - Features a picture of Ron from when the Pens visited the Pittsburgh Childrens' Hospital on January 9th, 1998. Also features quotes from him in an article about the NHL being "boring".
Penguins Report: February 6th, 1998 (#11 of Volume 7) Edition - Briefly mentions Ron's earning his 1,400th point in a January 29th, 1998 game at Boston, where the Penguins won, 4-2. Also talks about if the Pens could keep Francis and Nedved.
Penguins Report: March 6, 1998 (#13 of Volume 7) Edition - Briefly mentions Ron's then making #10 on the NHL All-Time Scoring/Points List at the February 25th game at the Montreal Canadiens, where the Pens won, 6-2.
Penguins Report: March 20th, 1998 (#14 of Volume 7) Edition - Has an article about what the Penguins then must have done to keep Ronnie in Pittsburgh. Three pictures of #10 are featured.
Penguins Report: April 3rd, 1998 (#15 of Volume 7) Edition - Celebrates and features an article about Ron obtaining his 1,000th NHL career assist, and a picture of him with the 1,000th assist earning puck. Also talks about the possibility of Francis leaving the Pens...which, ironically enough, *did* happen that summer.
Penguins Report: April 22nd, 1998 (#16 of Volume 7) Edition - Mostly talks about the Pens' prepping for the then upcoming 1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two pictures, one of Francis himself, and another of Ron with Stu Barnes and Jaromir Jagr at the Penguin bench, are featured.
Penguins Report: May 11th, 1998 (#17 of Volume 7) Edition - Has articles about the Pens' brief stint in the 1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs (they lost in the First Round to the Montreal Canadiens), the end of the Francis/Jagr dynamic duo, and Ron's then being more than likely to not sign with the Penguins. Also features a couple of pictures of Francis.
Penguins Report: June 3rd, 1998 (#18 of Volume 7) Edition - Mentions Ron's then potentially leaving the Pens and trying out the free agency market. Also acknowledges his then being up for the Lady Byng Trophy (which, not surprisingly, he won).
Penguins Report: June 16th, 1998 (#19 of Volume 7) Edition - Talks about how Ronnie was then most likely to leave the Pens after serving them for a little over seven seasons. The paper also contains a photo tribute and a poster prominently featuring Ron and his wife with the Stanley Cup, after the Penguins won it for the first time in 1991.
Penguins Report: July 9th, 1998 (#20 of Volume 7) Edition - Covers Ron's winning the Lady Byng Trophy at the 1998 NHL Awards. Also mentions his then testing the free agency, and that the Carolina Hurricanes were the front runner for his playing services...as we know, the rest was history.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazettes
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: April 9th, 1995 Edition - The Sunday/Comics section, featuring #1 of a series of "Pittsburgh Penguins Collectors' Series" posters published by the newspaper. Not only has Ron in an action shot, but also a facsimile of his autograph at the time.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: February 9th, 1997 Edition - A Penguins Souvenir Edition featured with that Sunday's edition of the Post-Gazette OR given out at the Mellon Civic Arena...this one possibly given out at the arena, based on "Civic Arena Extra" banner at the top of the front page. Honors the Jagr, Lemieux, and Francis line...one of the best NHL scoring lines in the 90's AND in Ronnie's entire hockey career.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: October 1st, 1997 Edition - The infamous front page of the 1997-98 Pittsburgh Penguins season preview featuring Francis and Jaromir Jagr in a spoof of Men In Black. The back of the page has the 1997-98 Penguins roster and various articles. Laminated. Acquired through Craig Mrusek.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Albany Times-Union: December 8th, 2006 Edition - The Sports section. Features a brief article about Francis helping out the Albany River Rats as the Hurricanes' Director of Player Development.
(Raleigh) News and Observers
The News and Observer: May 29th, 2002 Edition - Announced the Carolina Hurricanes' Eastern Conference Finals victory. Shows Ron holding the Prince of Wales Trophy on the front page.
The News and Observer: June 4th, 2002 Edition - Stanley Cup Finals section. Player feature focuses on Francis.
The News and Observer: June 5th, 2002 Edition - The front page for the entire newspaper, announcing the Carolina Hurricanes' victory over the Detroit Red Wings in Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals. Features a picture of Ronnie, after scoring the game-winner in overtime.
The News and Observer: June 5th, 2002 Edition - Stanley Cup Finals section. Features a picture of Ron lifting the puck over Detroit's Dominik Hasek to win Game One of the 2002 SCF.
The News and Observer: June 6th, 2002 Edition - Stanley Cup Finals section. A picture of Ronnie and Jeff O'Neill at a press conference is inside.
The News and Observer: June 12th, 2002 Edition - Stanley Cup Finals section. A couple of Francis pictures are featured.
The News and Observer: June 14th, 2002 Edition - Stanley Cup Finals section. Inside is a picture of Ron hugging Scotty Bowman, who coached Ron during his tenure as a Pittsburgh Penguin.
The News and Observer: June 16th, 2002 Edition - Featured on the front page is a photo of Ronnie talking to the crowd at the Carolina Hurricanes' 2002 Stanley Cup Playoff run party in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.
The News and Observer: June 18th, 2002 Edition - Special Edition titled "Ice Breaker", commemorating the 2001-02 Carolina Hurricanes and their Stanley Cup Playoff run.
The News and Observer: August 13th, 2003 Edition - Picture of Ron at an informal Carolina Hurricanes practice is featured on the front page of the Sports section.
The News and Observer: September 12th, 2003 Edition - A section about and picture of Ron are featured in the article about the Carolina Hurricanes starting on the front of the Sports section.
The News and Observer: September 16th, 2003 Edition - An article about Francis is featured on the front page of the Sports section.
The News and Observer: December 16th, 2003 Edition - The Sports section, covering Peter Laviolette's then becoming head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes. Features a photo of Ronnie inside.
The News and Observer: December 17th, 2003 Edition - Two photos of Ronnie are featured in the Sports section.
The News and Observer: December 19th, 2003 Edition - Covers the Carolina Hurricanes' first win under Peter Laviolette, courtesy of a game-winning goal by Jeff O'Neill, assisted by Ron Francis. A picture of Francis is featured inside.
The News and Observer: December 30th, 2003 Edition - Coverage of the December 29th, 2003 Carolina Hurricanes vs. the Buffalo Sabres game, where Ron tied Marcel Dionne on the NHL All-Time Points List.
The News and Observer: December 19th, 2004 Edition - The Arts and Entertainment Section, which has a feature about wolf statues and art throughout Raleigh. One of the statues featured is "Victory Howl", at the RBC Center and Carolina Hurricanes' offices, situated next to a picture of Ron Francis AND wearing a Canes jersey with "Francis" and a "10".
The News and Observer: January 28th, 2006 Edition - Features a couple of articles pertaining to the then upcoming "Ron Francis Night", and a picture of Ronnie on the front cover of the Sports section.
The News and Observer: January 29th, 2006 Edition - Features an article and photos covering "Ron Francis Night". Also features the "Farewell Franchise" poster that was featured in the September 15th, 2005 edition of the N&O.
The News and Observer: November 4th, 2006 Edition - The Sports section, featuring a brief article about Francis' return to the Carolina Hurricanes as their Director of Player Development. Acquired with thanks to StormChaserBH @ LetsGoCanes.com and The Score Boards.
The News and Observer: January 10th, 2007 Edition - The Sports section, featuring a blurb about Ron's performing his Director of Player Development duty in taking a couple of the Hurricanes prospects to the Canes @ Leafs game on the previous night. Acquired with thanks to StormChaserBH @ LetsGoCanes.com and The Score Boards.
Sault Stars
The Sault Star: June 5th, 2002 Edition - The front page and main section for the entire newspaper, featuring a picture of Ron after he scored the game-winning goal in Game One of the 2002 SCF. Article about the said game is featured further back in the main section. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
The Sault Star: February 24th, 2004 Edition - The front page for the entire newspaper...features a picture of Ron after he scored the goal that helped him surpass Maurice "Rocket" Richard on the NHL all-time goals list, and an article about the milestone. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's
The Sault Star: January 29th, 2006 Edition - The Sports section...covering the Canes' Ron Francis Night (January 28th, 2006) and retirement of the #10. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
USA Today: February 24th, 2004 Edition - A page from the Sports section featuring a photo of Francis, and an article about his surpassing Maurice "Rocket" Richard on the NHL All-Time Goals List at the February 23rd, 2004 Carolina Hurricanes @ the Toronto Maple Leafs game.
The Wake Weekly: April 20th, 2006 Edition - A page from the Neighbors section featuring an article about a "miracle kid" who has been visited by Ron a few times AND had his room decorated in a Canes/Francis motif thanks to a Wake Forest/Raleigh, NC charity group.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The News and Observer: March 10th, 2004 Edition - Features photos of Ron and coverage of his exodus from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Sault Star: March 10th, 2004 Edition - Features a picture of Ronnie and an article about his then joining the Maple Leafs. Obtained through a former Sault Ste. Marie youth hockey teammate of Ronnie's.
Got a newspaper with an article/special about and/or photo of Ron Francis mentioned here, or not mentioned at all on this entire site? E-mail me!