Cardiac Cane
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Carolina Hurricanes: How to fill PNC Arena

By Omar Abdelgawad

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 22: Carolina Hurricanes fans lights the arena in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 22, 2017. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 22: Carolina Hurricanes fans lights the arena in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 22, 2017. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – DECEMBER 2: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal during an NHL game against the Florida Panthers on December 2, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – DECEMBER 2: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after scoring a goal during an NHL game against the Florida Panthers on December 2, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Popularize the Star Players

The Carolina Hurricanes definitely do not have the biggest names in the NHL. That shouldn’t stop our best players from becoming some of the biggest names in the Carolinas. Names like Justin Faulk, Jeff Skinner, Jordan Staal, Justin Williams, and Sebastian Aho should rival those of Luke Kuechly, Cam Newton, and Michael Jordan. So far only Justin Faulk seems to get recognition from even the most casual of fans.

Exposure

What can the Canes do to get the rest of our star players more cred’? More exposure. The more people from the area I mentioned above see our star players, the more likely they will be intrigued. Get them out to these far areas. Let them loose outside of the big cities and get them to interact with soon-to-be fans. Bonus if they run into real fans. Make them into a bigger deal than they actually are. When people see a long line of folks waiting on something, they want to know what it is for. In the warmer offseason, get these guys to random towns and cities for autographs, and the Caniacs will follow.

Endorsements

I have only seen one non-Hurricanes related commercial featuring a player and that is the 86it.com promo featuring Justin Faulk above. This is excellent. There is a need for more. Different players to help represent and endorse all of North Carolina and other areas with potential for fan development. This will allow them to be more than mystery athletes who play a mysterious sport in a mysterious arena.

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