Carolina Hurricanes: They May Not Like Us, And We Don’t Care

They Called us Jerks, and We Loved It

The Storm Surge. What has become one of the greatest bridge’s between player and fan that I have ever witnessed. Something that was debated heavily. Sure, there were commentators in favor of it, but plenty who absolutely despised it.

This celebration renewed the market, it gave us our identity. Maybe not just the celebrations, but what came after. ‘The Year of the Jerks’, the year that the Hurricanes went from being just another NHL team to becoming a team that could pack 19,000 screaming Caniacs into one building.

Again, It isn’t just celebrations, it’s the way this team plays. There are no league-recognized superstars on this team. Our best player isn’t featured in any NHL commercials or promo packages. This team just plays their game. They play hard, they play smart, they play disciplined, and they play together.

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But What’s most important is that these players aren’t doing it for a leaf on their chest, a flaming C, or for a market that seems to ‘deserve’ it more; they are playing hard because The Hurricanes logo means something to them.

It means something to Rod Brind’Amour, one of the games greatest leaders, and a man who found a home in this city. It means something to Justin Williams, one of the games greatest playoff performers who gave away surefire contention for the chance to win in Carolina.

It means something to Curtis McEhlhinney, a goalie who was told he was too old for a spot on the world’s most prominent team. It means something to Petr Mrazek, a player who was told he was damaged goods, on his third team before his 27th birthday, who asked for nothing more than a chance.

It means something for Jordan Martinook, a fourth line grinder with the heart of a champion; and Greg McKegg, a career American Hockey League player who was asked to contribute on the sports grandest stage. It means something to every player who has been here during the ten year drought, and felt how difficult the trek to PNC was, knowing you’ll be spending another summer watching hockey instead of playing it.

And it means something to us. The 14,000 that became 19,000. The fans who forged a community. A group who embraced their place in the hockey landscape as outsiders. A group who never stopped cheering, never stopped showing up, and held down the fort till the rest of us could find their way back.

Now Here we are; four wins from a Stanley Cup Championship appearance. A Cinderella story has unfolded before our very eyes; and even if it ends here, it would have all been worth it. What this team has done is special, and one thing is for sure…

The 2019 Carolina Hurricanes are a team I’ll tell my kids about.