Did You Know? Carolina Hurricanes Edition
The Beginning
The Carolina Hurricanes’ journey began in 1971 as the New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association. In 1979, they transitioned to the NHL as the Hartford Whalers. The biggest change for the franchise occurred in 1997 when they relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, becoming the Carolina Hurricanes we know today.
Stanley Cup
The 2005-2006 season was unforgettable for the Carolina Hurricanes as they won the Stanley Cup. Under the leadership of captain Rod Brind’Amour, the team beat the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling seven-game series. Brind’Amour, now the head coach, has impressively led the Hurricanes to the playoffs every season since 2018.
Colors
Upon moving from Hartford, the Hurricanes swapped their iconic green for new colors. Settling in the PNC Arena, home to NC State Wolfpack, the team adopted red, white, and black, aligning with the local spirit and giving the franchise a fresh identity.
Building The Team
In 1997, the Hurricanes made their first NHL draft pick, selecting Greek player Nikos Tselios 22nd overall. He wrapped up that season with the AHL’s Lowell Lock Monsters. In 2003, Eric Staal was picked second overall and became the first player post-relocation to surpass 1,000 NHL games.
Mascot and Team Name
Meet Stormy, the Carolina Hurricanes’ mascot, proudly sporting number 97 in honor of the year the team relocated. Representing Eastern North Carolina’s rich hog farming history, Stormy the Ice Hog was a playful nod to the area’s culture. The team initially considered the name “Ice Hogs” but ultimately settled on the Hurricanes.
Traveling
The Hurricanes rank 10th in the NHL for the most travel. In the 2022-2023 season alone, they covered a staggering 53,783.30 miles, making them the only team from the Metropolitan Division to make the top 10 in travel distance.
Bunch Of Jerks
In 2019, commentator Don Cherry dubbed the Hurricanes a “bunch of jerks” for their creative post-win celebrations, known as Storm Surges. These playful antics included themes like fishing, boxing, lightsaber duels, and basketball. Though the Storm Surges have toned down, the team still enjoys celebrating victories with their fans in style.