Three Theme Nights the Carolina Hurricanes Should Create
Everybody loves a theme night. Wailers Night and Star Wars Night were big magnets for fans during the regular season. What’s next for the Carolina Hurricanes?
Theme nights are common place in the NHL and have been for many years. There’s been some weird and wonderful nights across the franchises in the past, even the Carolina Hurricanes ‘tried’ a Superhero Night once. That said, all themes chosen are worthy ones.
What you don’t see very regularly are nights that are a little more outside the box. Something different and out of the ordinary, in keeping with popular culture. The Star Wars night was brilliant and to this day, the Sebastian Aho Star Wars theme sits as the lock screen on my phone.
In the 2007-08 season, the St. Louis Blues held Mortgage Nights. A lucky fan that attended the game would have their mortgage or rent paid for FOUR MONTHS! Also, the Philadelphia Flyers once held a Scott Hartnell wig night, with the first 5000 fans to attend being gifted wigs of curly red hair.
This is something I really think league as a whole could benefit from more of. It would get people talking for sure and it’s going to cause interest in your franchise. All press is good press. It could even lead to more interest in the sport as a whole. Getting there first means your team is the one new fans hear about first.
The use of popular culture in hockey is of benefit to everyone involved. It gives the fans a chance to celebrate much loved films, era’s and even the original roots of the team! Adding more of these nights into the calendar could mean more bums in seats.
Another piece that gets fans through the door is merch. Every fan wants to get hold of that one-off piece of merchandise that’s only available on one night of the year. Whether it’s bobbleheads, t-shirts or something a little more wacky (as we’ll see later), it’s appealing.
Now, we’re going to take a look at three possible theme nights that are a bit more out there. Along with the accompanying little trinkets that could be available, should the idea ever come to fruition. They’re a little different, but it would be refreshing to see a team try and be bold. If anyone can be bold, it’s the Carolina Hurricanes.
Harry Potter Night
Boy, I hope this happens. Growing up with Harry Potter was incredible. It became a massive part of millions of people lives across the world. The theatrics, illusion and mystery that’s so synonymous with Harry Potter lends itself nicely to a dramatic Carolina Hurricanes theme night.
For starters, could you imagine just how cool a Gryffindor inspired warmup jersey would look? Hopefully, there’s a Caniac out there reading this that knows their way around Adobe Illustrator that can create a mock design, I bet it would be sick.
The great thing about Harry Potter is that it wasn’t just the children that grew up with it, the parents were fully involved too, doubling the reach and spanning generations. Now, kids in their twenties (like me) and the families that attend PNC Arena, will be able to relate and immerse themselves in night.
The music of Harry Potter is another thing that works. Could you imagine that infamous soundtrack being cast over the PA system? It would certainly go some way to creating that magical atmosphere that we’re after. It would be perfect entrance music for the players as they exit the tunnel and start warming up.
Similar to the common tradition of bobble head night, the Carolina Hurricanes could create miniature sticks that have been ‘Potterfied’. By the way, I don’t think that’s a real thing, I’ve just made it up but I’m going to stick with it for now. These sticks could be given out to the first 1000 fans to attend the game. Of course, you know I’m going for a wand vibe with this one.
It would also be great to see Tripp Tracy and John Forslund fully embrace the night and dress in their finest robes for the special occasion. I have an image of the broadcast being sent to Tripp by the ice, where you’ll get first glimpse of the Potteresque scar on his forehead.
Finally, it would only be right to end the evening with a related storm surge. Joined by everyones favourite Potter character, Neville Longbottom. He’ll join the guys on the ice to perform some sort of magical spell that makes the puck float.
James Bond Night
Yes! I’m going full British again here, sorry. This time, we’re dedicating an entire night to the classy British assassin, James Bond. With the latest instalment of the Bond franchise due for release on 3rd April 2020, the timing couldn’t better.
Provided that the Carolina Hurricanes have already secured their playoff place, having this night on the 3rd April when they play the Columbus Blue Jackets would be perfect. Where Harry Potter night was magical and bonkers, James Bond night will focus on the classy, suave nature that Bond embodies in all of his films.
Like Harry Potter, James Bond is a franchise that has covered generations. The first Bond film was released in 1962 and the first book was released in 1953 by iconic author, Ian Fleming. The movies have proved to be incredibly popular, with each new release seen as one of the movie events of the year.
We’ve all seen a Bond film and everyone’s favourite Bond is normally the one you grew up with. Pierce Brosnan for me then. The smooth talking, bow tie wearing ladies man would bring the essence of chic to PNC Arena and everyone, including fans, coaching staff and the players could get involved.
You know how we created specialist warmup jerseys for Harry Potter night? Well, we can do the same here. Believe it or not, tuxedo style kits have already been done before! Ahead of the 2014-15 soccer season in Spain, third tier side Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa released this incredible kit for one of their pre-season games…
Is this the worst kit ever? Cultural Leonesa launch black & white kit which looks like tuxedo http://t.co/LfK68LTrqb pic.twitter.com/dEiJHT1uQc
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 23, 2014
That’s all we need, a re-creation of this jersey. These can be auctioned off after the game for charity. Maybe we can even make a special edition suit for Stormy? Fans would be encouraged to wear their best threads, in turn, they’ll be rewarded with a special edition Petr Mrazek bobblehead where he’s dressed in his tux.
Again, the music lends itself very nicely to trying to build the perfect atmosphere at PNC Arena. So long as you get a whiff of an impression that you’re in a casino, then it’s been done right. Cocktail bars, blackjack and roulette. Sounds like fun.
Christmas Sweater Night
Semi-stollen from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Christmas Sweater Night could prove to be a bit hit. Not just for the fans, but for the Carolina Hurricanes merchandising team too! How many fans will be venturing to the store to grab their sweater before the game?
As just mentioned the Pittsburgh Penguins ran Ugly Holiday Sweater Night this season, but that doesn’t mean the Carolina Hurricanes can’t do a better job. Especially considering there was no real specialist items available to fans that attended in Pittsburgh.
It might be a little soon to be thinking about Christmas just yet, but I’m going to have to get myself into the festive spirit right now to continue. The tree is up, decorations on, why not add a Carolina Hurricanes themed ornament to the top of that tree?
The Carolina Hurricanes could give out tree top ornaments to the first 1000 fans to attend the game. They should be fairly inexpensive to produce and will be a nice keepsake for the fans. Surely, they’re likely going to make their money back on sweater sales that evening?
An on-site auction could be held to raise money for a Christmas charity, such a Toys for Tots, run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve. You can purchase a special, one-off holiday gift for a loved one, while supporting a great cause.
Because it’s the Carolina Hurricanes, we have to go bigger and better than anyone else. I fully expect to see Rod Brind’Amour rocking a massively over festive tie, something which can later be analyzed by Rate Rod’s Ties on Twitter.
This would also be the best night to reveal the Carolina Hurricanes festive video for 2019. A Very Stormy Christmas was a great video last year and maybe it’s time to get the players involved this year. Maybe we’ll see Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho brewing up a batch of Glögi and taking the baked ham out of the oven. A proper Finnish Christmas in Carolina.
Whatever the Carolina Hurricanes decide to do for theme nights, we can all be fairly certain that they’ll do it well. They are, after all, that hockey team that likes to have fun.
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Canes fans! What do you think should be the next theme night? Let us know!