After the Hurricanes clinched the Stanley Cup in 2026, coach Rod Brind’Amour became quite the topic of conversation, especially after his shirtless celebration. This moment caught the attention of Judith Retana, the host of “Wake Up Later, Carolina,” leading to a slightly awkward yet humorous exchange on air this week.
During a recent segment on CBS 17, Retana, when asked about the fit coach, surprised her coworkers with her candidness. “Oh, I’ve definitely seen the coach, Rachel. You know what? I might have a bit of a crush on Rod Brind’Amour,” she remarked. “I respect his wife, though. I’m sure they have a solid relationship, but, you know, just in case things change, I’ll be there. I’ve had my experiences with married men before.”
A disclaimer promptly appeared on the screen clarifying her comment, stating, “Clarification: *previously* married men, meaning divorced or separated.”
Retana continued, “Or even men with kids. I’m not bothered by that; in fact, I think it makes it even better since it’s like having an instant family.”
Rachel Duensing, the CBS 17 meteorologist, reacted with a surprised, “Judith… girl.”
“I only really became a fan during the playoffs,” Retana added, as if justifying her previous statements.
Duensing interjected, “I’m not sure you should be saying that on air.”
Bill Young, another host on the show, chimed in, saying, “A fan from here down,” while gesturing from his neck down. He quickly corrected himself, saying, “I just meant that’s where the attention has been focused.”
Retana responded playfully, “This is where Rachel gets uncomfortable.”
“I’m just here listening,” Duensing replied, seemingly apprehensive.
In a celebratory mood, Brind’Amour, age 55, showcased his physique during the locker room celebrations after the victory. A player even helped him out by partially opening his shirt, leading to the memorable shirt toss that earned him the nickname “Rod the Bod.”
Brind’Amour is currently married to Amy Biedenbach, his second wife. He shares three children with his first wife, Kelle Sullivan Gardner: Briley, Skyler, and Reece. After their divorce in 2004, Brind’Amour married Biedenbach in 2010, and they welcomed a son, Brooks, in 2011.
The Hurricanes secured their victory with a definitive 3-0 win against the Golden Knights in Game 6, marking the franchise’s second championship and their first since 2006.
Having previously captained the 2006 championship team, Brind’Amour made history by being the seventh person in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup with the same franchise as both a player and a head coach.
Reflecting on the victory, he said, “It’s just as amazing. As a player, I dreamed of winning the Cup my whole life, so that felt like a weight lifted. This time, it was really about the team; I wanted them to experience that feeling.”
