Carolina Hurricanes: How to Storm Through Europe

Finland recently claimed the IIHF World Championship. Can the Carolina Hurricanes make the most of the increasing European hype in ice hockey?

Ice hockey is a sport synonymous with North America. If I went into a local bar in the UK and started talking about hockey, it would be assumed that field hockey was the topic of conversation. Never would it come to anyone’s mind that I would be speaking about the NHL or even the Carolina Hurricanes.

Team GB’s ice hockey team made its mark during the IIHF Championships with their dramatic overtime winner versus France, saving them from relegation from the championship group. A massive boost to ice hockey culture in my home nation.

So how does this all fit in with the Carolina Hurricanes? Well, their top players are the European stars for their respective countries. Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, Nino Niederreiter. All names that are rising to the top of Carolina Hurricanes fandom and the top of their nation.

You could argue that Nico Hischier, selected first overall in 2017 by the New Jersey Devils is Switzerland’s golden boy, but it was Nino Niederreiter that was still playing hockey for his franchise in May.

The Carolina Hurricanes rely heavily on these stars to make an impact and they very rarely disappoint. Aho and Teravainen led the team quite considerably in points this year and had Niederreiter started the season with the Carolina Hurricanes, he’d have been right up there too.

Unlike Aho and Teravainen, Niederreiter did chose to represent Switzerland at the IIHF World Championships, grabbing himself one goal and one assist in his two games played. Imagine what the Finnish team would’ve been like had Aho and Teravainen decided to play!

Outside of the three stars, the Carolina Hurricanes also have fan favourites that can make a considerable impact in their home nations. They have the loveable Czech goaltender Petr Mrazek, those passion and determination make him an easy player to adore.

It’s easy to see why Mrazek is not considered a superstar in the Czech Republic when they boast players like Jakub Voracek, David Pastrnak and the ever improving Tomas Hertl. Mrazek’s dialled in focus and exuberance makes him a cult hero in Carolina, a status he truly deserves. Not to mention he’s actually a pretty good goaltender.

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Andrei Svechnikov is another European skater who’s ready to take Russia by storm. Next season will prove pivotal in his development. He has to potential to catch and even surpass the stats set by Aho and Teravainen this season.

He’ll have to do a lot to reach the god like status of Alex Ovechkin in Russia, but I’m sure they’ll be pay close attention to the development of young Svechnikov. It’s not only his skill that makes him likeable, he’s got grit too. Who else would drop them with Ovechkin in their rookie season?

Hockey fans in Europe will all have teams in their nation that they cheer for. However, they’ll also likely have NHL teams that they’ll follow too. This is where these lovable Carolina Hurricanes players play their part. It’s their opportunity to show new fans that this is franchise to follow.

The storm surges last season opened everyone’s eyes to the fun that’s being had in Carolina. Yeah, some people didn’t like it, but that didn’t stop the boys doing what they loved. The Carolina Hurricanes have done everything possible to make the fans feel like part of the team.

Increased worldwide media presence has led to fans across the world being familiar with the franchise and the players. As a neutral, it is very difficult to dislike them. At games in the UK, I still see more Colorado Avalanche and Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys than any other but I wonder whether I’ll see a few Carolina Hurricanes jerseys in years to come.

No Carolina Hurricanes fan wants to see their stars competing in the World Championships, because it means they’re no longer challenging for the Stanley Cup. What we do want, are fans of each nation to be gutted that they’re favourite star isn’t taking part.

Calling all European Canes fanes! We want to know where in the world you follow your team. Let us know in the comments below!