Carolina Hurricanes Tickets

The Hurricanes moved to North Carolina from Connecticut, where they played for over 20 years in the WHA and NHL as the Hartford Whalers. Even though they technically don’t exist anymore, the Whalers still have a cult following among hockey fans — maybe because their logo was so cool.

The Whalers relocated to North Carolina and became the Hurricanes before the 1997-98 season. Though they struggled in their first season, the Hurricanes made it to the playoffs and won their division the next year. In 2002, just five years after relocating, the ‘Canes, led by future hall of famer Ron Francis, made it to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Final.

A lockout cancelled the NHL’s 2004-05 season. When hockey returned the next year, the Hurricanes were one of the league’s biggest surprises. The team finished with over 100 points for the first time. In the playoffs, the Hurricanes’ mix of veterans including Rod Brind’Amour, Doug Weight, and Mark Recchi and young players like Justin Williams and Eric Staal helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final for the second time. But the biggest star for the Hurricanes was rookie goalie Cam Ward. Ward had played just 28 games in the regular season, but he was given his first playoff start after the Hurricanes lost the first two games of their first round series against Montreal. Carolina went on to win the next four games, and Ward led the way from there. Carolina defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final, and Ward won the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP.