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Carolina Hurricanes

Frank Fleming
Author: 
Frank Fleming
36 mins
November 1st, 2023
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Carolina Hurricanes

Historical Moments

1997/98:After struggling in Hartford the Whalers moved to the Carolina changing their nickname to Hurricanes, after the city of Raleigh agreed to build them a new state of the art arena. However, while the arena in Raleigh was being constructed the team would have to play 80 miles away in Greensboro. In their first season in Carolina the Canes struggled to get acquainted with their new surroundings finishing in last place with a 33-41-8 record. Making matters worse the Hurricanes struggled to draw fans averaging less than 10,000 fans per game.

1998/99:Still struggling to draw fans in Greensboro, the Hurricanes being to escape the doldrums that have surrounded their franchise for the better part of ten years. Benefiting from realignment the Hurricanes win the newly formed Southeast Division, while ending a seven-year playoff drought with a 34-30-19 record. However in the playoffs, attendance was only slightly better as Carolina fans got their first taste of playoff hockey as the Hurricanes split the first games at home against Boston Bruins. After winning Game 3 in Boston the Canes would bow in six games with three straight losses including a heartbreaking overtime loss at home in Game 5. The loss would soon turn tragic when Defenseman Steve Chiasson, is killed in a one-car accident on the way home from the airport after the loss. Chiasson, had been drinking on the flight home before crashing in the early morning hours of May 3rd.

1999/00:After two years in Greensboro the Hurricanes permanent home in Raleigh was finally ready. However, the Hurricanes would have to wait a little longer to open their new arena as they started the season with nine straight road games posting a solid 4-2-3 record. On October 29th the Canes finally opened Raleigh Arena holding a 1-0 lead through two periods as Arturs Irbe made 23 saves against the New Jersey Devils and Andrei Kovalenko scored the first goal. However in the 3rd period the Devils would score four goals to spoil the Hurricanes opening night 4-2. The Hurricanes still would have trouble drawing fans as they battled for a playoff spot all season coming just one point short with a 37-35-10-0 record.

2000/01:The Hurricanes continue to make fans along Tobacco Road by posting a solid season that seems them make the playoffs as the 8th seed with a record of 38-32-9-3. However, in the playoffs the Hurricanes were beaten and battered by the New Jersey Devils who jumped out to a 3-0 series lead. Meanwhile two Hurricanes (Ron Francis, and Shane Willis) were knocked out of the series early by concussions on hits by Scott Stevens. However, the Hurricanes would not quit winning Game 4 in overtime 3-2, and stealing Game 5 in New Jersey. However, in the end the Canes would fall in six games as the Devils exploded for five goals in Game 6 back in Raleigh.

2001/02:Fortunate to be playing in the weakest division in the NHL the Hurricanes wins the Southeast with a solid 35-26-16-6 record. In the playoffs the Canes were a considerable underdog in a rematch against the New Jersey Devils. Goalie Arturs Irbe was the star as the Canes won the first two games at home with twin 2-1 victories. However, as the series went to New Jersey Irbe would struggle as the Devils tied the series. Prior to a pivotal Game 5 at home Irbe was benched in favor of Kevin Weekes. Weekes played strong, but the Devils had a 2-1 lead late in the 3rd period when Jeff O’Neil forced overtime in where Josef Vasicek delivered a dramatic goal that gave the Canes a 3-2 series lead. In Game 6 Weekes would come up strong again stopping 32 shots as the Canes won their first playoff series with an exciting 1-0 victory. Moving on to the second-Round hockey fever had hit tobacco road as the Hurricanes were selling out Raleigh Arena, even though many fans had been bought up by Montreal Canadiens fans who made the trip down for the series. In Game 1 Kevin Weeks posted another shutout as the Canes won 2-0, However, Weekes would start to struggle as the Canadiens won the next two games, and held a 2-0 lead after the 1st period in Game 4 in Montreal. Arturs Irbe would take over in the 2nd period as the Habs lead grew to 3-0. Facing a 3-1 series deficit it looked as if the Canes magic run was over, in fact it was just about to begin. In the 3rd period the Hurricanes would score three unanswered goals including a game-tying goal by Erik Cole with 51 seconds left, and the goalie pulled. With new life the Canes evened the series in overtime as Niclas Wallin scored the game winner. From there the Canes stormed on winning the final two games by a combined 13-3 to reach their first Conference finals in franchise history. In the Eastern Finals the Canes would drop Game 1 at home to the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1. However the Canes would quickly storm back to win the next three games as Goalie Arturs Irbe re-established himself as the starter holding the Leafs to two goals in three games. With a chance to close out the series at home the Canes were smothered by the Leafs defense in Game 5 losing 1-0. Game 6 was another tough defensive game, as the scoreboard remained blank until Jeff O’Neill gave the Canes a 1-0 lead midway through the 3rd period. With time winding down the Canes could taste the finals, but Mats Sundin even the game with just 42 seconds left sending the fans at Toronto’s Air Canada Center into frenzy. However, the Hurricanes would regroup and put the Leafs away with a goal by Martin Gelinas 8 minutes into Overtime. In the finals the Hurricanes were given no chance facing the Detroit Red Wings. However, they would steal Game 1 in overtime on a Ron Francis goal 58 seconds into the extra session. After the Wings took Game 2, Hurricanes fans were in frenzy in Game 3 as the Canes held a 2-1 lead late in the 3rd period. However, the Wings would tie it and force overtime, there the two teams battled late into the night before Arturs Irbe was finally beaten by Igor Larionov 14:47 into a third overtime. It would be the last stand for the Hurricanes would fall in five games after losing the next two games.

2002/03:Coming off a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Finals excitement and hopes were high in Carolina for the Hurricanes. However, starting with a 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers at home on opening night things would go bad. Although the Hurricanes would rebound from their disappointing loss on opening night and held a solid 8-4-2-2 record on November 12th, it was only masking problems that lie ahead. As late as December 22nd the Canes still held a winning record at 15-12-5-3, but it would be the start of a downward spiral, as they won just three of their next 31 games, which included 22 losses that dropped the Hurricanes into last place in the Southeast Division. The Hurricanes would go on a mini four game winning streak in early March, but it would be only a temporary reprieve as the Canes did not win another game losing nine of their last 11 games to finish with a NHL worst record of 22-43-11-6, for perhaps one of the most disappointing seasons in NHL history for any team.

2003/04:Trying to rebound off their disappointing season the Hurricanes got off to a slow start winning just two games in October. Clearly in a rebuilding mode all season the Hurricanes were never a factor in the playoff race posting a record of 28-34-14-6 while finishing in third place in the Southeast Division. Along the way they began making way for the future trading Captain Ron Francis at the trading deadline to the Toronto Maple Leafs for prospects.

2004/05:Season Cancelled Due to Lock Out

2005/06:Coming back from the lockout the Hurricanes were a team overlooked by everyone, little did anyone know that the pieces were in place for a special year? With Rookie Cam Ward and Veteran Martin Gerber splitting time in goal the Hurricanes got off to a strong start, winning eight of 11 games in October. As the weather cooled the Hurricanes continued to play solid hockey skating through the first three months with a solid 24-10-4 record. In January the Hurricanes made their move to the top of the Eastern Conference winning 13 of 14 games as they held a remarkable 39-14-4 record at the Olympic Break. After the 16-day break for the Olympics the Hurricanes continued to play solid hockey winning four straight when adversity struck with a neck injury to Eric Cole, who was among the team leaders with 30 goals and 29 assists. With Cole on the sidelines the Hurricanes only managed .500 hockey the rest of the regular season. However their 52-22-8 record was still good enough to win the Southeast Division and earn the second seed in the playoffs, as Captain Rod Brind’Amour had one of the strongest seasons of his career with 31 goals and 39 assists and a defensive presence that earned him the Selke Trophy, while Erik Staal had a break out 100-point season leading the Canes in goals (45) and assists (55). By the time the playoffs arrived Martin Gerber had won the starting goalie spot and was in the nets for the start of the first round series against the vaunted Montreal Canadiens. Through the first two games the Canadiens appeared to be the second seed as they won Game 1 by a score of 6-1. Gerber was shaky again in Game 2 allowing three goals in the first period, before he was relieved by Cam Ward. The Hurricanes would come back to force overtime but the Habs to 2-0 series lead with a 6-5 win. As the series shifted to Montreal Cam Ward started Game 3 and was brilliant allowing just one goal on 28 shots as the Canes won 2-1. Ward was solid again in Game 4 as the Canes evened the series with a 3-2 win. The series shifted back to Raleigh for Game 5 as Ward continued to be the stopped in a 2-1 win that gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 series lead, as they completed the comeback with a 2-1 overtime goal Cory Stillman in Game 6. In the second round the Hurricanes faced another team with a string playoff history in the New Jersey Devils, and grabbed the devil by the horn right from the start winning 6-0 in Game 1. Game 2 would be much tougher for the Hurricanes as Martin Brodeur was stopping just about every shot as the game was tied late 1-1, when suddenly the Devils took a 2-1 lead with 21 seconds left. Rather than be heartbroken the Hurricanes quickly refocused and tied the game with three seconds left on an Erik Staal goal. With the RBC Center rocking the Hurricanes would win in overtime on a goal by Niclas Wallin. The Canes would win 3-2 again in Game 4 to take a 3-0 series lead. After losing Game 4, the series came back to Raleigh as the Hurricanes won Game 5 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals 4-1.

2005/06:In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Buffalo Sabres, the Hurricanes got off to a shaky start dropping Game 1 at home 3-2. The Canes would bounce back to win even the series with a 4-3 win in Game 2, but dropped Game 3 as the series shifted to Buffalo 4-3. With Martin Gerber back in the net for Game 4 the Hurricanes roared back to even the series with a 4-0 win as the Hurricanes defense allowed just 22 shots. However, Gerber was shaky in Game 5 as the Sabres took a 3-1 lead early in the second period. Cam Ward would come on to relieve Gerber again, and would not allow on 15 shots as the Canes battled back and forced overtime where Cory Stillman played hero again to give Carolina a dramatic 4-3 win. After a 2-1 overtime loss in Game 6, the Hurricanes roared into June and the Stanley Cup Finals with 3 unanswered goals in the third period for a 4-2 win. Facing the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals the Hurricanes were considered the favorites to win. However, early on it looked as if the Hurricanes would fall behind early as they trailed Game 1 late in the second period 3-0, before Rod Brind’Amour finally beat Dwayne Roloson. In the 3rd period the Canes would come out smoking as they tied the game with two goals in the first five minutes. The Hurricanes would then take the lead on a Justin Williams. The Oilers would battle back to tie the game, but lost Roloson to a knee injury on a collision by the net with five minutes left. As time wound down in regulation Captain Brind’Amour played the role of hero scoring the 5-4 game winner with 32 seconds left. Fired up the Hurricanes would dominate Game 2 winning 5-0. After losing Game 3 in Edmonton 2-1, the Hurricanes rebounded to take a 3-1 series lead with a 2-1 win. Carolina was ready to celebrate as the Cup was in the building for Game 5. However, the Oilers would not go down without a fight as they forced overtime where Fernando Pisani scored the game winner shorthanded on a breakaway. Not even the surprise return of Erik Cole could energize the stunned Hurricanes as they lost Game 6 on the road 4-0 in a flat listless performance that forced a seventh game at the RBC Center. Game 7 saw the Hurricanes get off to a fast start as they took a 1-0 lead just 86 seconds into the game on a goal by Aaron Ward. A lead they would extend to 2-0 on a goal by Frantisek Kaberle in the second period. However, things got tight at the start of the third period as Pisani made it 2-1. From there the Hurricanes relied on Cam Ward who became the first rookie goalie to win the Conn Smythe in 20 years as he would stop the Oilers remaining nine shots before Justin Williams clinched the cup and a 3-1 win with an empty net goal with 61 seconds remaining.

2006/07:Coming off their surprise Stanley Cup Championship the Hurricanes hardly came out of the gate storming as they didn’t win any of their first four games. After a poor October, the Hurricanes started to play better in November as they climbed back over .500 winning nine of 15 games. However, consistency would be an issue all season as the Canes never went on the winning streak, they had the year before and found themselves on the playoff bubble. Down the stretch injuries would play a role as Goalie Cam Ward, who struggled all season was knocked out for a month due to injury. The Canes would not recover as a three game losing streak at the end of March had them on the outside looking in when the season ended as they became the first team in 11 years to miss the playoffs the season after winning the Stanley Cup, as they finished in third place in the Southeast Division with a record of 40-34-8.

2007/08:Coming off their disappointing season, the Hurricanes got off to a strong start posting an 11-4-3 record through the first six weeks of the season. However, in November the Hurricanes started to display some of the bad habits that cost them a playoff spot in 2007, as they lost ten of their next 15 games. The Hurricanes continued to struggle into January, as they slipped below .500. Despite their struggles the Hurricanes were in a battle with the Washington Capitals all season for the Southeast Division Title. However, it was a battle for one playoff spot as the division was the weakest in the NHL, with second place meaning ninth place in the conference and out of the playoffs. The Hurricanes seemed to grab the upper hand at the start of March, as they won eight of nine. However, down the stretch the Hurricanes lost two games to the Capitals, as the season came down to the last game, which the Hurricanes would lose to the Florida Panthers at home 4-3, as they missed the playoff for the second straight year with a record of 43-33-6.

2008/09:After two disappointing seasons without a playoff appearance, Coach Peter Laviolette began the season on the hot seat. When the Hurricanes continued to struggle at the end of the season, that hot seat would become an ejection seat, as Laviolette was fired on December 3rd following a stretch in which the Hurricanes lost 7-of-11 games, with their record hovering around .500. Under new Coach Paul Maurice the Hurricanes continued to scuffle as they endured a five-game losing streak in January, and appeared to be doomed to miss the playoffs for the third straight season. The Hurricanes started to show signs of improvement in February, as they posted a winning record and got back into playoff contention, as they acquired Jussi Jokinen from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Wade Brookbank, Josef Melichar, and a draft pick. They would later re-acquire Erik Cole at the trade deadline from the Edmonton Oilers for Patrick O’Sullivan and a second-round draft pick. O’Sullivan had been acquired earlier that day for Justin Williams. The deal appeared to be just what the Hurricanes needed as they posted a 12-3-2 record down the stretch to earn the sixth seed in the playoffs. In the playoffs the Hurricanes faced the New Jersey Devils in the first round, and earned a split of the first two games on the road, winning Game 2 in overtime on a goal by Tim Gleason. However, the Devils will bounce back to win Game 3 in overtime in Carolina, as the two teams split the first four games. After a frustrating 1-0 loss in Game 5, the Hurricanes looked to Cam Ward to send the series to Game 7 as he blanked the Devils 4-0 in Game 6 at the RBC Center. Things looked bleak for the Hurricanes in Game 7 as they trailed 3-2 late in the 3rd Period on the road. However, with just 1:20 left the Canes tied the game on a goal by Jussi Jokinen. Just 48 seconds later Eric Staal would score the game winner as the Hurricanes advanced to the second round with a 4-3 victory. In the second round the Hurricanes got off to a shaky start, losing 4-1 in Game 1 to the Boston Bruins. However, they would quickly bounce back to win the next three games, and take a 3-1 series lead. The Bruins would battle back and would send the series to a seventh game, where the Hurricanes again faced elimination as the game went into overtime tied 2-2. In overtime it would Scott Walker who would play the role of hero scoring the game winner at just 74 seconds into the extra period to send the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Hurricanes magic run would come to a quick end in the Conference Finals as they are overwhelmed by the Pittsburgh Penguins who outscore them 20-6 in a four-game sweep on the way to winning the Stanley Cup.

2009/10:Coming off their trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hurricanes had high expectations entering the season. However, an early 14 game losing streak would all but end their playoff hopes before Thanksgiving, as they ended November with a 5-17-5 record. The Hurricanes would show slight improvement as they won five games in December, but as the New Year began, they continued to languish in last place. January would be a month of change in Carolina, as Rod Brind’Amour, who was playing his final NHL season handed over the captaincy to Eric Staal on January 20th. The Hurricanes would win five of their first six games with Staal as the team captain. As the Olympic Break arrived the Hurricanes again resembled a playoff contender as they entered the break on a five-game winning streak. However, with a record of 24-30-7, the Hurricanes would be sellers at the trade deadline. When play resumed the Hurricanes extended their winning streak to seven games, but the hole they had dug early in the season would prove too deep. The Hurricanes would escape last place and would finish the season strong, but would miss the playoffs with a record of 35-37-10.

2010/11:After a disappointing season, the Hurricanes looked to rebound and get back to the playoffs as Raleigh prepared to host its first All-Star Game. The Hurricanes would start the season in Helsinki, Finland with a two-game series against the Minnesota Wild. After Helsinki, the Hurricanes would play five games on the road, winning two and losing three before making their home opener against the Washington Capitals. The first game at RBC Center would not go as planned as the Hurricanes were blanked 3-0. Over the next two months the Hurricanes would hover near .500 as they entered the New Year with a record of 10-11-3. One player who excelled early was Rookie Jeff Skinner, who was chosen with the seventh overall draft pick. Skinner had made an impact from the start of the season, scoring the shootout winner in one of their games in Helsinki as he quickly became a fan favorite. In January he would be named Rookie of the Month, as he was an injury replacement in the All-Star Game. Skinner would go on to finish second on the team in scoring with 31 goals and 32 assists as he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie. During January as the Canes hosted the All-Star game, they played their best hockey, posting a record of 8-4-2. However, they would have their problems in February, winning just four games. They would recover in March, as they battled for a playoff spot. The Hurricanes season would come down to the final game as a win would give them the eighth spot in the East. However, they would be struck down by the Tampa Bay Lightning, losing 6-2 as they finished the season with a record of 40-31-11, missing the playoffs by two points.

2011/12:After missing the playoffs two straight seasons, the Hurricanes did not have a big off-season, as they added Alexei Ponikarovsky and Tomas Kaberle through Free Agency. Much like the quiet off-season, the Hurricanes did not make any noise once the season started as they held a record of 8-13-4 on November 28th, when Coach Paul Maurice was dismissed. Things would not get much better under new Coach Kirk Muller, as they went into the New Year at the bottom of the Southeast Division with a record of 13-21-6. The Canes never got any momentum, as they began to look toward the future trading both of their biggest off-season signings Kaberle and Ponikarovsky before they even reached the All-Star Break. The Hurricanes would have a strong February, but it would not matter as they ended the season in last place with a disappointing record of 33-33-16. Leading the Hurricanes in scoring was Captain Eric Stall who had 24 goals and 46 assists. Following the season the Hurricanes would make a big move at last, picking up Jordan Staal for the New York Rangers for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin and the eighth overall selection at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Sutter was the son of Brent Sutter, one of five Sutter brothers to play in the NHL. The Staal brothers have their own hockey dynasty with Marc Staal playing for the New York Rangers, and Jared Staal playing in the NHL. Uniting Jordan and brother Eric Staal was the Hurricanes motivation for the deal as they look to end their playoff drought.

2012/13:The Hurricanes would have to wait for the Staal brothers to step on the ice together as the start of the season was delayed more than three months by a lockout. When the season finally began on January 19th, the Hurricanes stumbled losing their first two games by a combined score of 9-2. After dropping three of their first five games, the Hurricanes would begin to turn things around at the start of February, winning six of eight games to propel themselves to the top of the Southeast Division. However, they would be unable to keep up the pace as they dropped their next three games. The Canes again would get off to a strong start in March, but a seven game losing streak all but took them out of the playoff chase as they struggled without Goalie Cam Ward who missed much of the last two months with a leg injury. The Hurricanes would go on to finish the season with a disappointing record of 19-25-4.

2013/14:Hoping to return to the playoffs, the Hurricanes opened the season at home with a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Realignment had taken Carolina from the winnable Southeast Division into the jumbled Metropolitan Division. Dealing with injuries early the Hurricanes were consistently inconsistent ridding around .500 all season, as they were never better than five games over .500 nor worse than three games under .500. Ending December with a record of 15-16-9, the Hurricanes played their best hockey as 2004 began, winning five straight games as they posted a won 10 of 14 games in January as they skated into the Olympic break with a record of 26-22-9. When the NHL’s stars returned from Sochi the Hurricanes went into a slump, losing their first four games and six of seven games overall. This included losing both ends of a home and home series with the New Jersey Devils, whom they had sent Tuomo Ruutu for center Andrei Loktionov. Ruutu played a key role in the 5-4 win on March 8th in Newark, scoring the game winning goal in the third period. The Hurricanes would go on to finish the season in seventh place with a record of 36-35-11. Despite having a talented team, the Hurricanes ranked 23rd in the league in scoring. Eric Staal led the team with 61 points, while Jeff Skinner skating through injuries had a team high 33 goals. Goalie Cam Ward had a frustrating season dealing with a lower body injury. Without Ward the Hurricanes split the goaltending duties between Anton Khudobin and Justin Peters; Khudobin went 19-14-1 with a solid 2.30 GAA and a .926 save percentage. Following the disappointing season the Hurricanes would dismiss Coach Kirk Muller.

2014/15:To say things did not get off to a flying start for the Carolina Hurricanes under new Coach Bill Peters would be an understatement, as they opened the season losing a home and home series with the New York Islanders. Returning home they would suffer a 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout before starting an extensive road trip for the rest of October. The road trip began with another shootout loss to the New York Rangers before heading to Western Canada. There things only got worse for Carolina, as the Hurricanes lost four straight to the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks, by a combined score of 18-5, to finish October without a win at 0-6-2. The Canes would finally get a win upon returning home November 1st, beating the Arizona Coyotes 3-0. The Hurricanes would start November with five wins in their first six games, with the only loss in overtime. The Hurricanes winning ways would not last long, as the next six weeks would be nearly as frustrating as October, as they won just five times in the next six weeks, and went into the New Year with a terrible record of 10-23-4. The Hurricanes would play better in 2015 and had two strong months in January and February, but there would be no saving their season as they finished last in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 30-41-11. Eric Staal led Carolina in scoring, with 54 points, his lowest output in a full season since his rookie year, while being the only Hurricane to score 20 goals. Jeff Skinner also struggled most of the season, mustering just 18 goals and 13 assists. The lone All-Star for the Hurricanes was Justin Faulk, who led the team with 34 assists.

2015/16:After a last place finish the Carolina Hurricanes hoped to get off to a better start after enduring a winless October in the previous season. Things did not look good early as they dropped their first three games before beating the Detroit Red Wings on the road 5-3. The Hurricanes would play better the remained of the moth, as they closed the month with three straight wins. November would not be pleasant for Carolina, as won just three games and built another early season hole. The Hurricanes would play better in December as they entered the New Year holding a record of 16-17-5. Despite losing their first three games in 2016, the Canes had a solid January, as they won four straight and they ended the month winning seven of their last ten games. February would bring more disappointment as they posted a 5-6-2 record, as the month ended the Hurricanes traded longtime Captain Erik Staal to the New York Rangers for Finnish Prospect Aleksi Saarela and two draft picks. Down the stretch the Hurricanes stayed on edge of playoff contention. March was a month of missed opportunities as they lost six games after regulation. While they got one point those games, it was not enough as they missed the playoffs with a record of 35-31-16.

2016/17:The Carolina Hurricanes looking to get back end a long playoff drought again started slowly, losing six of their first seven games. Thanks to a ten-game winning streak at PNC Arena, the Hurricanes were able to stay close to the Wild Card race as December came to an end. Entering the New Year with a record of 16-13-7, the Hurricanes saw their home ice winning streak end with a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. As January came to an end, Carolina suffered a five-game losing streak which put them in a deep hole. After struggling through much of February, the Hurricanes were sellers at the trade deadline sending Ron Hainsey to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Viktor Stalberg to the Ottawa Senators. With the playoffs out of reach, the Hurricanes had a terrific March, winning ten games. However, any momentum was erased with four straight losses to start April, as they finished the season with a record of 36-31-15. Jeff Skinner was Carolina’s top player all season, leading the team 63 points and 37 goals.

2017/18:It was a year of transition for the Carolina Hurricanes whose playoff drought extended into a ninth year. Hoping to resurrect the glory days, the Hurricanes signed Justin Williams, who had been on the team when Carolina won the Stanley Cup and departed after the 2009 season, playing a pivotal role on the Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup teams. Cam Ward, who began his career with a bang, leading Carolina to a Stanley Cup in 2006, would lose his job as the starting goalie as he split the starts with Scott Darling. It would be Ward’s final season in Carolina. The Hurricanes hovered near .500 for the first two months of the season. In December, they made a run to get into contention, winning seven of eight as they went into the New Year with a record of 18-13-7. The Hurricanes would struggle over the next two months as they began to fade in the playoff chase. In March, the Hurricanes’ struggles would lead to a change at the top as General Manager Ron Francis was relieved of his duties. The Hurricanes just were not consistent enough and finished sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 36-35-11. Sebastien Aho led Carolina in scoring with 65 points and goals with 29.

2018/19:Don Waddle would assume the duties as General Manager. While,Rod Brind’Amour who served as Captain in the Carolina Hurricanes glory days, is named the team’s new coach, replacing Bill Peters, who had served behind the bench for four seasons. To replace Cam Ward in goal, the Hurricanes signed Petr Mrazek formerly of the Detroit Red Wings. The Hurricanes’ inconsistent play continued as they hovered near .500 again over the first two months. After struggling in December, the Hurricanes appeared on the way to another lost season as they held a record of 16-17-5 at the end of 2018. As the New Year began, the Hurricanes started to turn things around as they won seven of eight. At this time, the Hurricanes began creative postgame celebrations following wins at PNC Arena. This caught the attention of Don Cherry, a commentator on CBC in Canada. Cherry called the Hurricanes a “Bunch of Jerks” for their celebrations. This would become Carolina’s rallying cry for the rest of the season. The Hurricanes rode this new notoriety to ten wins in February. The Hurricanes would go on to make the playoffs for the first time in ten years with a record of 46-29-7 as they grabbed the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Once again, Sebastien Aho led the team in scoring with 83 points, scoring a team-best 30 goals.

2019 Playoffs:Facing the reigning Stanley Cup Champion, Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Carolina Hurricanes found themselves in a hole right away as the Capitals won the opener 4-2. After a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 2, the Hurricanes had their backs against the wall as they played their first home playoff game in ten years. With Warren Foegele and Dougie Hamilton each scoring two goals, the Hurricanes got back in the series with a 5-0 win. In Game 4, Petr Mrazek stoned the Capitals all night, making 30 saves, as the Canes evened the series with a 2-1 win. In Washington, the Capitals dominated Game 5, winning 6-0 to move one game away from advancing to the second round. The Hurricanes would bounce back with a 5-2 win in Game 6, as the series went to a decisive seventh game. Things looked bleak early in Game 7, as the Capitals scored twice in the first period, and held a 3-1 lead in the second period before Teuvo Teravainen scored to make it a one-goal game. In the third period, Jordan Staal scored to tie the game at 3-3. The game remained deadlocked until the middle of double overtime, with Brock McGinn scoring the game-winner to deliver the Hurricanes a stunning 4-3 win to advance to the second round. Facing the New York Islanders, the Hurricanes found themselves in a goaltending duel in Game 1, as neither team could score in regulation. Petr Mrazek was perfect that night in Brooklyn, stopping all 31 shots as Jordan Staal netted the game-winner in overtime for the Hurricanes. Mrazek would go down with an injury in Game 2, but Curtis McElhinney came in and was solid, leading Carolina to a 2-1 win. McElhinney was solid again in Game 3, as Teuvo Teravainen scored twice to lead Carolina to a 5-2 win. Game 4 would be a replay as the Hurricanes completed the sweep with a 5-2 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Peter Mrazek returned as the Carolina Hurricanes faced the Boston Bruins. Things did not go well from the start, as the Bruins took the opener 5-2 and added a 6-2 win in Game 2. Curtis McElhinney got the start in Game 3 as the series shifted to Raleigh. McElhinney played well, but the Hurricanes lost 2-1 and trailed 3-0 in the series. The Hurricanes faded away, losing 4-0 as the Bruins went on to the Stanley Cup Final.

Championship Teams

Hurricanes Arenas

Historic Hurricanes

Steve Chiasson

1997-1999

Kevin Dineen

1997-1999

Nelson Emerson

1997-1999

Trevor Kidd

1997-1999

Keith Primeau

1997-1999

Ray Sheppard

1997-1999

Robert Kron

1997-2000

Gary Roberts

1997-2000

Paul Coffey

1998-2000

Martin Gelinas

1997-2002

Shane Willis

1998-2002

Bates Battaglia

1997-2003

Sami Kapanen

1997-2003

Sean Hill

1997-1999, 2001-2004

Jeff O’Neill

1997-2004

Ron Francis

1998-2004

Arturs Irbe

1998-2004

Kevin Weekes

2001-2004

Aaron Ward

2001-2006

Martin Gerber

2005/06

Josef Vasicek

2000-2006, 2006/07

Kevyn Adams

2001-2007

Cam Ward

2006 Conn Smythe

Rod Brind’Amour

2006 & 2007 Selke

Glen Wesley

1997-2003, 2003-2008

Bret Hedican

2001-2008

Mike Commodore

2005-2008

Cory Stillman

2005-2008

Frantisek Kaberle

2005-2009

Dennis Seidenberg

2006-2009

Rod Brind’Amour

1999-2010

Niclas Wallin

2000-2010

Matt Cullen

2005/06, 2007-2010

Ray Whitney

2005-2010

Scott Walker

2006-2010

Sergei Samsonov

2007-2011

Erik Cole

2001-2008, 2008-2011

Joe Corvo

2007-2010, 2010/11

Brandon Sutter

2008-2012

Chad LaRose

2005-2013

Jussi Jokinen

2008-2013

Joni Pitkanen

2008-2013

Jamie McBain

2009-2013

Tuomo Ruutu

2007-2014

Patrick Dwyer

2008-2015

Jay Harrison

2009-2015

Jim Tlusty

2009-2015

Alexander Semin

2012-2015

Anton Khudobin

2013-2015

Eric Staal

2003-2016

Riley Nash

2011-2016

Nathan Gerbe

2013-2016

Cam Ward

2005-2018

Elias Lindholm

2013-2018

Jeff Skinner

2010-2018

2011 Calder Trophy

Justin Faulk

2011-2019

Victor Rask

2014-2019

David Ayres

2019/20

Zamboni Goalie

Justin Williams

2003-2009, 2017-Pres

Jordan Staal

2012-Present

Jaccob Slavin

2015-Present

Sebastian Aho

2016-Present

Teuvo Teravainen

2016-Present

Warren Foegele

2017-Present

Dougie Hamilton

2018-Present

Petr Mrazek

2018-Present

Andrei Svechnikov

2018-Present

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Author

Frank Fleming
Frank Fleming founded the Sports Ecyclopedia in 2001 & is a passionate Devils fan.