Congratulations, Hurricanes!

Congratulations to the 2026 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes! I attended the team’s first home game in the team’s first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 2002 against the Detroit Red Wings (my favorite NHL team until the Hartford Whalers moved to North Carolina in 1997 to become the Carolina Hurricanes). The Red Wings won that game and ultimately the series. I also attended the team’s first home game in their Stanley Cup Finals appearance against the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. The Hurricanes won that game and that series and claimed their first Stanley Cup Championship.

It’s been twenty years since the Hurricanes last won the Stanley Cup. Seeing the team hoist the Stanley Cup again was nice, particularly since it gave Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour his first Stanley Cup as a coach after having won the Stanley Cup as the Hurricanes captain in 2006. Also nice was seeing Jordan Staal earn a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes after his brother Eric won one with the team in 2006. Jordan had alleywon a Stanley Cup in 2009 when his Pittsburgh Penguins swept the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals. And yes, I was there when the Penguins ended the series.

Enjoy the moment, Caniacs. The Stanley Cup is returning to Raleigh.