On Wednesday, Cole signed a ceremonial contract before the Canes exhibition opener, and general manager Ron Francis helped Cole put on his #26 jersey one last time.
President Don Waddell will now employ Cole as a team ambassador keeping him - and his family - in the Triangle.
Cole played parts of 16 seasons in the NHL and nine of them were with the Hurricanes.
He hasn't played since a spinal contusion in 2015 when Cole was with the Red Wings.