Youth hockey in the Carolinas is booming.

“The sport's growing for sure. The popularity is growing. We are getting more kids playing, but the biggest jump is the fact that competitive level on a day-to-day basis is jumping,” said Carolina Youth and Amateur Hockey Coordinator Paul Strand.

Strand says the high level of play is evident as people like former Hurricanes star Rod Brind’Amour get involved.

Brind’Amour is the director of forwards for the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes and says coaching youth hockey is a little different.

“I have a son who is hopefully going to make the team, and I figured I’m going to be around him all the time I might as well help out, spread some of the knowledge that I think I have,” said Brind’Amour.

“At this level they listen number one. When you get to the pro level, they have a tendency to know it all. But it’s just fun, we’re not serious. I think that’s the best part. We’re here to have fun.”

And with Brind’Amour’s impressive resume, there’s a lot to learn from. He captained the Hurricanes to the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship in 2006.

“I’ve been playing my whole life, at different levels obviously,” said Brind’Amour. “But you take a little bit from every level you’re associated with, and you gain experience.”

“You definitely have more respect as a kid towards those coaches," Strand said. "You tend to believe what he says is true and to go out and do it.”

With team tryouts this weekend, Brind’Amour is looking forward to the year ahead.

His goals are simple.

“I think from the stand point of the kids, to get a little better, to hopefully understand the game a little better and to have fun,” he said.