Carolina Hurricanes to Begin Optional Skates at PNC Tuesday

Lost in the news is the fact that the Carolina Hurricanes are hitting the ice

The Carolina Hurricanes are finally hitting the ice again. But it won’t be at the new Wake Competition Center, it will be at PNC Arena.

That’s right, while WCC is actually finishing off its final touches and preparing to be available if needed by the team, the Carolina Hurricanes are opting to do their skates at PNC Arena. While the team has yet to confirm the reasoning behind the choice of venue, it could be due to the broadcasting equipment available to record the sessions.

Whatever the reason may be, it is going to be good to see the boys finally back on the ice after over three months of hiatus as the league pushes forward with their return to play plan.

https://twitter.com/Canes/status/1276516577899315202

As part of phase two, all players and staff that participate in the optional skates in any capacity must be tested for COVID-19 to be allowed entry into PNC Arena. These sessions will remain closed to both the public and the media, so don’t expect anything other than the team’s own press releases to show from these sessions.

More from Cardiac Cane

• 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase: Takeaways from the Canes’ Strong Showing in Florida
• Week Two Coverage Of College Hockey In NC
• Derek Stepan Ends His On Ice Career As A Hurricane
• The Southeast Rookie Showcase Will Be a Good Look at Carolina’s Future
• Noesen Ready To Provide Depth For Canes

The Carolina Hurricanes expect at least 16 players to show up for these practices. Several players have stayed local for various reasons and are expected to be there. Players from Europe such as Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen have been confirmed to have returned to the US and should be participating in these skates. We will soon find out who else is showing up, but to see these players back is a treat.

COVID-19 still has us on edge with what to expect with cases across the country growing at an alarming rate. But if the players and the team are smart and responsible they can hopefully avoid any influx of cases like what Tampa Bay or Arizona has seen. That would mean that players should do the smart thing and wear their masks outside of the Arena and it is on the rest of us to also wear a mask and try to defeat this virus in North Carolina.

At the end of the day, the team and the league should and will do what is in the best interests of the players’ health. If that means delaying or canceling the return to play plan then so be it. If we can safely move forward then let’s do so.

Question for CC Readers: Which players are you most excited about seeing come back?