Lenovo Center (originally Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena and formerly RBC Center and PNC Arena ) is an indoor arena located in Raleigh, North Carolina , United States. The arena seats 18,700 for ice hockey and 19,500 for basketball, including 61 suites, 13 luxury boxes and 2,045 club level seats. The building has three concourses and a 300-seat restaurant.
115-839: Lenovo Center is home to the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League and the NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team of NCAA Division I . The arena neighbors Carter–Finley Stadium , home of Wolfpack Football , and the North Carolina State Fairgrounds . The arena also hosted the Carolina Cobras of the Arena Football League from 2000 to 2002. It is the fourth-largest arena in
230-668: A 2006 interview, Karmanos admitted that "as it turns out, [Greensboro] was probably a mistake." Under the circumstances, the Hurricanes managed to stay competitive, but still finished last in the Northeast Division with 74 points, nine points out of the playoffs. For 1998–99 , the Hurricanes curtained off most of the upper deck lowering the Coliseum's listed capacity to about 12,000. Attendance continued to lag. Most games attracted crowds of well under 5,000. Conversely, on
345-402: A 2018 installation, but the project was postponed due to structural/roof issues. The old video board was taken down on June 1, 2019. The new board debuted on September 18, 2019. In November 2019, Raleigh approved funding for the arena at $ 9 million a year for 25 years for arena enhancements, putting the grand total to $ 200 million. Some concessions in the arena were updated in 2019 in addition to
460-614: A bout of intestinal flu, in favor of rookie Cam Ward . This proved to be a consequential decision, as the Hurricanes went on to win both games in Montreal, tying up the playoff series and turning the momentum around, winning the series on a game six overtime goal by Cory Stillman . Carolina then faced the New Jersey Devils in the Conference Semifinals, which proved surprisingly one-sided, as the Hurricanes beat
575-472: A consistent rate since 2009. It became so bad the team finished second-to-last in average league attendance in 2014 and 2015. Rumors started circulating in 2015 that the Hurricanes were possible contenders to move to either Las Vegas or Quebec City . The Quebec rumors in particular were widely reported, with the Hurricanes and the NHL both refuting the claims. Las Vegas would eventually gain an expansion team in
690-554: A franchise record from the 2005–06 season, and capped off a streak of 12 straight home wins, which set a new franchise mark. The team finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with 97 points, the second-most points in franchise history. The Hurricanes' 2009 playoff run featured two tight series with dramatic finishes. Game 4 of the first-round matchup with the New Jersey Devils saw Stanley Cup playoff history when Jussi Jokinen scored with 0.2 seconds left in regulation to win
805-509: A higher-ranking position. Leading up to Kypreos' report, candidates such as Nashville Predators assistant general manager Paul Fenton , New Jersey Devils assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald , and Los Angeles Kings assistant general manager Mike Futa had all reportedly passed on the position. Ultimately, on May 8, 2018, the Hurricanes announced the hiring of former Atlanta Thrashers general manager Don Waddell as team president and general manager. Waddell had previously been serving as
920-471: A hurricane warning flag. This flag logo also became the new additional logo. On the dark grey shoulder yoke, the primary logo was placed on the right while the Flag of North Carolina was added to the left. Both logos were recolored in black and grey. The logo also features the state of North Carolina in the negative space between the flags. This alternate has since become the Hurricanes' primary home uniform during
1035-542: A last-round goal. The Hurricanes looked poised to pick up where they left off in the 2002–03 , but never recovered from a 10-loss January and finished dead last in the league with 61 points. After a similarly slow start to the 2003–04 season , Paul Maurice , who had been the team's coach since midway through their next-to-last season in Hartford, was fired and replaced with former New York Islanders bench boss Peter Laviolette . Under Laviolette, Weekes remained tough, but
1150-526: A normal hockey day, Lenovo Center has more than 400 people on duty for security and concessions. The arena has also seen use in fictional media, as a season four episode of The CW series One Tree Hill saw the Tree Hill High School Ravens playing a NCHSAA championship game in the venue. It was also the taping site for the 2005 Jeopardy! College Tournament . Raleigh experienced its first NHL game on October 29, 1999, when
1265-744: A team selected by the Detroit Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom ) that featured Skinner (the youngest All-Star in NHL history), Cam Ward , and (for the SuperSkills competition) defenseman Jamie McBain . The Hurricanes went into the final day of the season able to determine their own fate, but lost 6–2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning to finish ninth in the East. Skinner was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of
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#17327733724161380-472: A transitional year from the veteran-heavy, high-salary club that opened 2009–10 to a younger, cheaper base. The Hurricanes contended for a playoff slot for the entire season aided by Skinner's emergence as an offensive phenomenon who, as the youngest player in the league, would lead all rookies in points. Raleigh hosted the 2011 NHL All-Star Game in January, and Eric Staal captained a team he selected (opposite
1495-401: A trim color along with silver. Nevertheless, the Hurricanes have worn black alternate uniforms for select games since 2007. The initial Hurricanes uniforms featured the primary logo in front with the secondary logo on the shoulders. One enduring feature of this uniform was the red and black storm warning flags that dot the tail along with silver, red, black and white stripes. In 2000, black trim
1610-620: A two-year deal that would pay him $ 1.5 million for 2012–13 and $ 1.7 million for 2013–14 (Gleason and Tlusty would eventually be traded to the Washington Capitals and the Winnipeg Jets over the next few seasons). Despite the signings of Gleason, Ruutu, and Tlusty, the Hurricanes would finish fifth in the Southeast Division and twelfth in the Eastern Conference during the 2011–12 season, which forced them to miss
1725-679: The 2006 Stanley Cup over the Edmonton Oilers , giving the state of North Carolina its first major professional sports championship and its only major championship as of 2023–24. The New England Whalers were established in November 1971 when the World Hockey Association (WHA) awarded a franchise to begin play in Boston , Massachusetts . For the first two years of their existence, the club played their home games at
1840-516: The 2020–21 NHL season and renovations were to start. Plans for renovations are currently on hold. In April 2022, it was announced that Invisalign would become an official arena partner, extending their partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes. Following this announcement, the East and West arena entrances were respectively renamed to become the "Invisalign East Entrance" and "Invisalign West Entrance." After being put on hold during
1955-520: The 2024 playoffs , they defeated the Islanders in the first round again, this time in five games, but then got eliminated by the Rangers in six games in the second round despite staving off elimination in the fourth and fifth games. The Hurricanes' primary logo has always been a stylized hurricane with a storm warning flag on a hockey stick as the secondary logo. A stylized black triangle sat behind
2070-623: The Boston Arena and Boston Garden . With the increasing difficulty of scheduling games at Boston Garden (owned by the NHL rival Boston Bruins ), the owners decided to move the team to Hartford, Connecticut , beginning with the 1974–75 season . While waiting for the completion of a new arena in Hartford, the Whalers played the first part of the season at The Big E Coliseum in West Springfield, Massachusetts . On January 11, 1975,
2185-616: The COVID-19 pandemic , the renovation project was reconsidered. The Centennial Authority met with local officials, the Carolina Hurricanes, and National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman in May 2022. After discussion, the Centennial Authority approved the continuation of the project, while also inviting CAA ICON to design the project. Plans call for renovations inside the arena, as well as on surrounding land to become "one of
2300-569: The Central Division , their first division championship since winning the Southeast Division in 2006. It was also the first time since moving to Raleigh that they had qualified for the postseason three years in a row and the first time in the history of the franchise that a head coach had taken the team to the playoffs in three consecutive years. They defeated the Nashville Predators in the first round in six games but lost to
2415-795: The Dallas Stars . The summer of 1999 for the New Jersey Devils leading up to the franchise's 18th season in the NHL since the franchise relocated from Colorado was a difficult one, especially after being eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the New York Rangers in five games in 1997 , and in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals the previous two years: to the Ottawa Senators in six games in 1998 and to
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#17327733724162530-763: The Harlem Globetrotters . The arena has also hosted several college hockey games between NC State and North Carolina. Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes ) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina . The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as part of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference , and play their home games at
2645-709: The Lenovo Center . The franchise was formed in 1971 as the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association (WHA). The Whalers saw success immediately, winning the Eastern Division in the WHA's first three seasons and becoming the inaugural Avco World Trophy Champions to cap off the 1972–73 season . The Whalers again competed for the World Trophy in 1978 , this time falling short to
2760-600: The Piedmont Triad mostly refused to support a lame-duck team that had displaced the popular Greensboro/Carolina Monarchs minor-league franchise. As a result, even with the first game hosting more than 18,000 fans, most games in Greensboro attracted crowds of 5,000 or fewer. The crowds looked even smaller than that in the cavernous environment. Furthermore, only 29 out of 82 games were televised (over-the-air and cable combined), and radio play-by-play coverage on WPTF
2875-1012: The Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games in 1999 , the latter coming on Continental Airlines Arena ice. But with the addition of Claude Lemieux , the 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy winner returning to the Devils' uniform, the franchise were poised for another run for the Stanley Cup. The Devils finished the regular season with the fewest power-play opportunities (274), but they finished second-overall in power-play percentage, with 20.07% (55 for 274). Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL=Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; PIM=Penalties in Minutes; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for
2990-651: The Stanley Cup Finals , Carolina would face the Detroit Red Wings , thought to be the prohibitive favorite all year. Though the Hurricanes stunned the Wings in game one when Ron Francis scored in the first minute of overtime, Detroit stormed back to win the next four games. Game three in Raleigh featured a triple-overtime thriller eventually won by Detroit's Igor Larionov , the oldest player to score
3105-619: The Tampa Bay Lightning . Attendance increased from the 2003–04 season, averaging just under 15,600 per game, and the team made a profit for the first time since the move from Hartford. In the playoffs, after losing the first two games of the Conference Quarterfinal series against the Montreal Canadiens , Laviolette lifted goalkeeper Martin Gerber , who had been struggling to regain his form after playing through
3220-512: The Vegas Golden Knights . Before the 2017–18 season, the Hurricanes unveiled new uniforms. On July 13, 2017, it was reported that Chuck Greenberg had sent Karmanos a letter of intent to buy the team for $ 500 million. Greenberg would ultimately back out of a deal. On December 7, 2017, it was announced that Thomas Dundon signed an agreement to purchase the Hurricanes, which ensured that the team would not be relocated. The deal
3335-514: The Winnipeg Jets in a rematch of the 1973 Finals. The franchise joined the NHL in 1979 as part of the NHL–WHA merger , renaming themselves the Hartford Whalers . The team relocated to North Carolina in 1997, rebranding themselves as the Hurricanes. Carolina advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 2002, where they were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings . The Hurricanes won
3450-782: The "Miracle at Molson "; Carolina won the next two games by a combined 13–3 margin over a dejected Habs club to take the series. In the Eastern Conference Finals, Carolina met the heavily favored Toronto Maple Leafs . In Game 6 in Toronto , the Leafs' Mats Sundin tied the game with 22 seconds remaining to send it to overtime, where Carolina's Martin Gelinas would score to send the franchise to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance. During this series, several Hurricanes fan traditions drew hockey-wide media attention for
3565-582: The "promotion" was likely in name only, noting that there were rumblings Francis and Dundon did not see "eye-to-eye". Subsequently, coach Bill Peters resigned from his position on April 20, 2018, to pursue a similar opportunity with the Calgary Flames (he ultimately replaced Glen Gulutzan as the Flames' head coach three days later), and the Hurricanes officially fired Francis from the organization altogether on April 30, 2018, leaving vacancies in both
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3680-474: The 2013–14 season, the Hurricanes were realigned into the new Metropolitan Division . They would finish seventh in the division during the 2013–14 season (ahead of only the New York Islanders ) and would miss the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, which prompted management to fire head coach Kirk Muller. In addition, longtime general manager Jim Rutherford was moved to an advisory role after
3795-458: The 2019 St Louis Blues are the only other teams to have achieved this feat. The Hurricanes were unable to follow up their recent success. Losing four players to free agency in the off-season and 222-man games to injury during the 2006–07 , the team struggled throughout the regular season, and once eliminated in the last game, the Hurricanes finished third in the Southeast and 11th overall in
3910-546: The 40th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice , Hurricanes emergency goaltender David Ayres became the first emergency goaltender in NHL history to win a game, a 6–3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team whose minor league affiliate he works for as a Zamboni driver and maintenance man. The season would come to an abrupt end on March 11 due to the COVID-19 pandemic . On August 3, 2020, Andrei Svechnikov became
4025-693: The ACC (after the JMA Wireless Dome , KFC Yum! Center and the Dean Smith Center ) and the eighth-largest arena in the NCAA. The arena opened in 1999 at an estimated construction cost of $ 158 million. Taxpayers covered half of the construction cost while the team paid the other half. In 2023, the Hurricanes signed an agreement with local government to lease the arena for 20 years in exchange for $ 300 million in public subsidies for renovations to
4140-538: The Boston Bruins, and landed a first-round match-up with the defending champions, the New Jersey Devils . The Devils eliminated the Hurricanes in six games. Down 3–0 in the series, the Hurricanes extended it to a sixth game, thereby becoming only the 10th team in NHL history to do so. Game 6 in Raleigh featured their best playoff crowd that year, as well as their loudest. Despite the 5–1 loss, Carolina
4255-587: The Boston Bruins, the Whalers were compelled to rename the team the Hartford Whalers . The Whalers were never as successful in the NHL as they had been in the WHA, recording only three winning seasons. They peaked in the mid-to-late 1980s, winning their only playoff series in 1986 over the Nordiques before bowing out in the second round to the Montreal Canadiens , taking the Habs to overtime of Game 7 in
4370-529: The Bruins battled back for two wins. In Game 7 in Boston, Scott Walker scored the game and series winner 18:46 into overtime to send Carolina to the Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins . The Penguins, though, put a decisive end to the Hurricanes' string, sweeping the series 4–0 on the way to their own Stanley Cup championship . As a result of their surprise run, very few changes were made in
4485-399: The Centennial Authority to discuss a potential arena renovation. Their proposal includes all-new entrances, a new rooftop restaurant and bar, covered tailgating sections, and moving the administrative offices elsewhere in the arena as a result. The plans also call for new office spaces, additional meeting spaces, removing stairwells and aisles, adding wider seats, and perhaps building lounges on
4600-504: The Centennial Authority, the landlord of the arena, approved a name change for the facility to PNC Arena. The name change officially took place on March 15, 2012. PNC's naming rights expired on August 31, 2024. On September 12, 2024, the Centennial Authority approved a name change to Lenovo Center after the Chinese technology company Lenovo , whose American headquarters are based in nearby Morrisville , secured naming rights for ten years. On
4715-468: The Cup in his twelfth year with the franchise since joining the Whalers in 1994. The Hurricanes Stanley Cup championship marked the first professional major league sports title for a team from North Carolina. As well, they were the first NHL team to win the Stanley Cup despite losing at least nine playoff games in that year; the 2011 Boston Bruins, the 2014 Los Angeles Kings , the 2017 Pittsburgh Penguins , and
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4830-462: The Devils in five games. Stillman struck again, once again scoring the series-winning goal. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hurricanes faced the Buffalo Sabres , who had finished just one spot behind the Hurricanes in the overall standings. The contentious series saw both coaches – Lindy Ruff and Laviolette – taking public verbal shots at each other's team. In the deciding game seven,
4945-475: The Eastern Conference. This finish made them the first champions since the 1938–39 Chicago Black Hawks to have failed to qualify for the playoffs both the seasons before and after their championship season, and the third champion overall to not defend its title after both the Blackhawks and the 1995-96 New Jersey Devils. In the 2007–08 , Carolina again missed out as Washington Capitals stormed back to take
5060-530: The Hartford Civic Center was one of the smallest arenas in the league, seating under 16,000 spectators for hockey. The Whalers' off-ice problems were magnified when the start of the 1990s triggered a spike in player salaries. Despite assurances made when he purchased the team in 1994 that the Whalers would remain in Hartford at least through 1998, in March 1997, owner Peter Karmanos announced that
5175-417: The Hurricanes gained notice for their on-ice victory celebrations, which they called "Storm Surges". This led Don Cherry of Hockey Night in Canada to call the Hurricanes a "bunch of jerks". The Hurricanes adopted "Bunch of Jerks" as a battle cry, even going as far as projecting it on the ice at PNC Arena before and after games. During the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs , on April 24, the Hurricanes defeated
5290-414: The Hurricanes hosted the New Jersey Devils on the building's opening night. The first playoff series at the Entertainment and Sports Arena were held in 2001 when the Hurricanes hosted the Devils in games 3, 4, and 6, of the 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs , but the Hurricanes lost in 6. The ESA (by then the renamed RBC Center) hosted games of both the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs and Stanley Cup Finals ; however,
5405-429: The Hurricanes lost in the Stanley Cup Finals. On June 19, 2006, the Hurricanes were on home ice for a decisive game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals , defeating the Edmonton Oilers 3–1 to bring the franchise its first Stanley Cup and North Carolina its first and only major professional sports championship. The arena hosted the playoffs again in 2009 , with the Hurricanes losing in the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2019,
5520-408: The Hurricanes rallied with three goals in the third to win by a score of 4–2. Rod Brind'Amour scored the game-winner as the Hurricanes reached the Stanley Cup finals for the second time in team history. The Stanley Cup Finals saw the Hurricanes facing the Edmonton Oilers . The Hurricanes rallied from a 3–0 deficit in game one to win 5–4 after Rod Brind'Amour scored with 30 seconds left. In Game 2,
5635-443: The Hurricanes shelled the Oilers 5–0 to take a two-game lead. The Oilers won game three in Edmonton , 2–1, as Ryan Smyth scored the game-winning goal with 2:47 left to play. Carolina rebounded in game four with a 2–1 victory, and came home with a chance to win the Cup on home ice. However, game five saw the Oilers come back with a stunning 4–3 overtime win on a shorthanded breakaway by Fernando Pisani . In Game 6 in Edmonton, Carolina
5750-460: The Hurricanes won two games in overtime as they defeated the Devils in six games. Their second-round matchup was against the Montreal Canadiens , who were riding a wave of emotion after their captain Saku Koivu 's return from cancer treatment. In the third period of game four in Montreal , down 2–1 in the series and 3–0 in the game, Carolina would tie the game and later win on Niclas Wallin 's overtime goal. The game became known to Hurricanes fans as
5865-498: The Hurricanes wore their alternate black pants with the white road uniforms for the first time in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. Two nights later, also against the Sabres, the Hurricanes paired their alternate black helmets and pants with the primary red home uniform. On December 23, 2022, against the Pittsburgh Penguins , the Hurricanes began wearing red helmets with the white road uniforms. 1999%E2%80%932000 New Jersey Devils season The 1999–2000 New Jersey Devils season
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#17327733724165980-404: The LED upgrade. These included a new marketplace in the upper concourse as well as other concessions renovated and a new color changing lighting system on the exterior of the South End. The Centennial Authority (operating group) and the Hurricanes are also meeting to further discuss the future renovations and the future of the Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. Most offices were expected to move out before
6095-410: The New York Rangers in seven games. In the following season , the Hurricanes won their division. In the 2023 playoffs , they defeated the New York Islanders in six games in the first round, then defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games in the second round, but were swept by the Florida Panthers in the Conference Finals. In the 2023–24 season , the Hurricanes finished second in the division. In
6210-426: The RBC Center after an extended search for a corporate sponsor. RBC Bank , the US division of the Royal Bank of Canada (whose headquarters were in Raleigh), acquired 20-year naming rights for a reported $ 80 million. On June 19, 2011, it was announced that PNC Financial Services bought US assets of RBC Bank and acquired the naming rights to the arena pending approval by the regulatory agencies. On December 15, 2011,
6325-408: The Whalers' place in the Northeast Division . Unfortunately for the team, the ESA would not be complete for two more years. The only arena in the Triangle area with an ice plant was 45-year-old Dorton Arena ; at 5,100 seats, it was too small even for temporary use. The Hurricanes chose to play home games in Greensboro , 90 minutes west of Raleigh, for their first two seasons after the move. However,
6440-416: The Whalers). Tragedy struck hours after the team's first-round loss to the Bruins, when defenseman Steve Chiasson was thrown from his pickup truck and killed in a single-vehicle drunk-driving crash. The team finally moved to their newly completed arena in Raleigh in 1999. They became the first major sports team to play in Raleigh, and remain the only such team there as of 2024. The aforementioned season
6555-744: The area's median income levels. In addition, 95% of the 4,000 surface parking spaces lost will be replaced with parking decks. In addition to hockey and college basketball, the Lenovo Center hosts a wide array of concerts, family shows, and other events each year. Past performers include Prince , Beyoncé , Bruce Springsteen , Cher , Eric Clapton , Taylor Swift , Billy Joel , Justin Timberlake , Pitbull , Elton John , Lady Gaga , One Direction , Nicki Minaj , Celine Dion , George Strait , Bon Jovi , Journey , Def Leppard , Keith Urban , My Chemical Romance , and many other artists. Family shows have included Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus , Sesame Street Live , Disney On Ice , Monster Jam , and
6670-414: The arena hosted the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 10 years, with fans setting a single-game record attendance of 19,495 in game 4 of the second round versus the New York Islanders . This record would be further extended on May 14, 2022, when the Hurricanes defeated the Boston Bruins 3–2 in game 7 of the first round , to advance to the Second Round, in front of 19,513 fans. In March 2025,
6785-406: The arena will host a neutral site match between the Minnesota Frost and Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League during the 2024–25 PWHL season . Attendance numbers come from press numbers from ESPN, Lenovo Center, the Raleigh News and Observer , as well as Hockey Reference.com. Numbers in italics represent playoff games. In 2003, a ribbon board which encircles the arena bowl
6900-499: The arena will see $ 300M in renovations from public funding. In addition, the Hurricanes promised to privately fund and develop the 80 acres of land at a cost of $ 200M within 5 years, $ 400M within 10 years, and $ 800M within 20 years. Phase one will include at least 100,000 sq ft of retail/dining, 150,000 sq ft of office space, 200 multi-family residential units, a 150-room hotel, and a 3,000-5,000 capacity indoor music venue. 10% of residential units throughout all phases will not exceed 80% of
7015-443: The arena. As part of the deal, Hurricanes billionaire owner Tom Dundon said he would develop surrounding vacant land into an $ 800 million mixed-use development. The idea of a new basketball arena to replace the Wolfpack's longtime home, Reynolds Coliseum , first emerged in the 1980s under the vision of then-Wolfpack coach Jim Valvano . In 1989, the NCSU Trustees approved plans to build a 23,000-seat arena. The Centennial Authority
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#17327733724167130-417: The defending 2018 Stanley Cup champions, the Washington Capitals , 4–3 in double overtime in game seven, winning their first playoff series since 2009. The team would then go on to defeat the New York Islanders in four straight games in the second round, recording the first best-of-seven playoff series sweep in franchise history, and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2009. It
7245-409: The depth on defense. The team also overhauled their goaltending, trading away Alex Nedeljkovic for a pick and signing Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta as the new goalie tandem. In perhaps their most talked-about moves, the Hurricanes signed Tony DeAngelo and signed Jesperi Kotkaniemi to an offer sheet. The 2021–22 season concluded with the Hurricanes winning the Metropolitan Division for
7360-445: The division title on the last day of the season, leaving the Hurricanes second in the division and ninth overall in the conference, and making the Hurricanes only the second club in NHL history to miss the playoffs for two seasons running after a Stanley Cup triumph. After a slow start to the 2008–09 season , Cup-winning coach Peter Laviolette was fired in early December and replaced by his own predecessor, Paul Maurice . Teetering on
7475-435: The edge of the playoff picture again, the club, on February 7, acquired utility forward Jussi Jokinen from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Wade Brookbank , Josef Melichar and Carolina's fourth-round draft pick in 2009 , then reacquired winger Erik Cole from the Edmonton Oilers at the March trade deadline and proceeded on a 12–3–2 run to close out the season. The stretch run included nine straight wins, matching
7590-440: The eventual champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round in five games. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy , notably only having two penalty minutes (PIM) for the entire season. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton was named to the NHL All-Star second team, and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was named to the NHL All-Rookie team and placed third in the Calder Memorial Trophy voting, while head coach Brind'Amour
7705-419: The first Hurricanes/Whalers player to score a hat trick in the postseason in a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers . By beating the Rangers, the Hurricanes made the playoffs for a second straight season. However, they lost to the Bruins in five games. The loss also marked the first time since the 2001 playoffs that the Hurricanes lost in the first round. The 2020–21 season concluded with the Hurricanes winning
7820-428: The first time in franchise history. This was the first time the Hurricanes had ever won division titles in back-to-back years since relocation. The Hurricanes finished the regular season with 54 wins, the most in franchise history. Andersen and Sebastian Aho each represented the team at the 2022 NHL All-Star Game . In the playoffs, the top-seeded Hurricanes defeated the Boston Bruins in the first round, before falling to
7935-424: The first time: fans met the team at the airport on the return from every road trip and echoed football -season habits honed for games across the parking lot by hosting massive tailgate parties before each home game, a relative novelty in the cold-weather-centric NHL. Inside the building, the CBC 's Don Cherry lauded the RBC Center as "the loudest building in the NHL", praise that would be echoed in 2006. In
8050-444: The flag, referencing the Triangle region. After the team's first season in 1997, the team altered the color scheme to a slightly darker shade of red and kept the other colors. The Carolina Hurricanes currently wear black uniforms at home and white uniforms on the road. While black is one of the team's core colors, until 2022, the Hurricanes kept its usage at a minimum, opting for red helmets and red pants while using black exclusively as
8165-414: The franchise for twenty years. For years, the organization maintained many Whalers connections among its off-ice personnel; in addition to many members of executive management and the coaching staff, broadcasters Chuck Kaiton , John Forslund and Tripp Tracy (at the time a minor-league player), and equipment managers Wally Tatomir , Skip Cunningham and Bob Gorman all made the move to North Carolina with
8280-574: The game, the latest regulation game-winning goal in NHL history. Then, in Game 7, the Devils took a 3–2 lead into the final two minutes of the game at the Prudential Center in Newark before the Hurricanes struck. With 1:20 to play, Tim Gleason saved a puck on his knees at the right point, passed it to Joni Pitkanen on the left boards, who then hit Game 4 hero Jussi Jokinen at the far post for
8395-463: The head coach and general manager positions. Early in the Hurricanes' search for a replacement general manager, it was reported that Dundon's salary offerings for the position could be prohibitive in attracting quality candidates. Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported that the Hurricanes were offering "in the ballpark of $ 400,000 a year", a fraction of the salary figures of many other teams' coaches, let alone those of their general managers, who serve in
8510-472: The ice the Hurricanes' performance improved led by the return of longtime Whalers' captain Ron Francis , Keith Primeau 's 30 goals, and Gary Roberts ' 178 penalty minutes. They tallied their first winning season and playoff appearance since 1992. They also won the newly formed Southeast Division by eight points, only their second division title as an NHL team (following the 1987 Adams Division title as
8625-467: The mezzanine levels below the main concourse level. Project costs were not decided, as the architects were given until May/June 2016 to come up with estimates. The cost was estimated to be almost $ 200 million. The Centennial Authority would have to approve the estimates before official voting. If the funds had been approved the renovation would've started in 2020 and been completed by 2022 at the earliest. However, this would not come to pass. During mid-2016,
8740-540: The move, Karmanos himself thought of and decided upon the new name for the club, the Carolina Hurricanes , rather than holding a contest as is sometimes done. Later that summer, the team dropped the Whalers' colors of blue, green and silver for a new black-and-red scheme, matching the colors of the North Carolina State University Wolfpack , with whose men's basketball team they would share the arena in Raleigh. The Hurricanes inherited
8855-461: The off-season. Veterans such as Aaron Ward , Andrew Alberts , and Stephane Yelle were brought in to help drive the team further, but things did not go according to plan. The Hurricanes experienced a 14-game losing streak spanning October and November, and midway through the year, the Hurricanes replaced their only post-lockout captain Rod Brind'Amour with Eric Staal. Despite improved play during
8970-399: The offense was suspect; center Josef Vasicek led the team with a mere 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points. Many of the new fans attracted to the team (and to hockey itself) during the 2002 playoff run lost interest and attendance declined. One of the few positive results of these losing years was the team's drafting of Eric Staal in 2003 . The outcome of the 2004–05 NHL lockout led to
9085-454: The player with his older brother, Eric Staal. On March 25, 2013, the Hurricanes signed Alexander Semin to a five-year deal, worth $ 35 million. However, in the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, the team would finish third in the Southeast Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference, which would make the team miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season after a strong start was cut short by an injury to starting goaltender Cam Ward. Before
9200-529: The playoffs for a third consecutive season. On May 9, 2012, the 2006 Stanley Cup champions Carolina Hurricanes' Game 7 victory was recognized as one of the NC Hall of Fame's "Great Moments" series. During the 2012 NHL Entry Draft , the Carolina Hurricanes traded Brandon Sutter , Brian Dumoulin and their 2012 first round draft pick ( Derrick Pouliot ) to the Penguins in exchange for Jordan Staal , uniting
9315-526: The playoffs' most valuable player , becoming just the fourth rookie to be honored with the award. Several Hurricanes raised the Cup for the first time in their long NHL careers; Rod Brind'Amour and Bret Hedican had both played over 15 years without winning the Cup, while Glen Wesley , the last remaining member of the Hartford Whalers on the Hurricanes' roster, had waited 18 seasons. On the managerial side, general manager Jim Rutherford finally won
9430-777: The playoffs. Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast bold – Qualified for playoffs; z – Won conference; y – Won division New Jersey advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals with home ice advantage as the fourth seed, becoming the lowest seeded team to have home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup finals. This record was later broken by the Devils again in 2012 . Win Loss Tie OT loss (1 point) Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Tie (1 point) Overtime loss (1 point) Win Loss The Devils' draft picks at
9545-498: The playoffs. In 2019, a new white uniform was released, replacing the one worn since 2013. This new uniform featured the "CANES" nickname written diagonally in front with the flag logo returning on the shoulders. The warning flag patterns and red letters with black trim also returned from the original set. The new uniform came at the behest of owner Tom Dundon, who was not a fan of the previous white uniform. The Hurricanes have not worn variants of their uniforms often. On April 5, 2022,
9660-404: The previous scoreboard was eight-sided; four of those sides featured alternating static dot-matrix displays (very much outdated for today's standards). In addition, the scoreboard featured an octagonal top section with full video capability, along with two rings above and below the main video screens; they were similar to the ribbon board encircling the arena. In October 2015, architects met with
9775-461: The prior black alternate uniform with this new set. Upon moving to Adidas ' AdiZero template in 2017, the Hurricanes made little changes to their white uniform. However, their new red uniform brought back a few elements from the original set, including black striping and the warning flag pattern (now recolored with a dark red shade) on the tail. In 2018, the Hurricanes unveiled a new black alternate uniform, featuring an updated flag logo corrected to
9890-463: The process. The next year , the club secured the regular season Adams Division title, only to fall to the Nordiques in six games in the first round of the playoffs. In 1992 , the Whalers made the playoffs for the final time, but were bounced in the first round in seven games by the Canadiens. Two years later, the team hired Jim Rutherford as general manager , a position that he would hold within
10005-412: The red and white uniforms except for the logo outline. In addition, a red nameplate with white letters and black trim was placed near the red shoulder yoke of the white uniforms. Both sets removed the flag logo and warning flag patterns while letters were updated to Univers Condensed font. The front logo also reduced in size compared to the prior set. Despite these changes, the Hurricanes continued to wear
10120-492: The ribbon boards were upgraded and a second ribbon board was added to the upper level fascia. Static advertising signs inside the lower bowl of the arena were replaced with LED video boards. In 2018, they renovated the NHL home locker rooms and replaced the seating in the upper bowl as well as an ice/court projection system that was first used December 23 at a Hurricanes game against the Boston Bruins . In April 2019, it
10235-584: The season with longtime Whalers/Hurricanes star Ron Francis announced as his replacement on April 28, 2014. On June 19, 2014, Bill Peters was named head coach, becoming the fifth head coach in franchise history. Peters' teams would not break the Hurricanes' playoff drought. During the 2014–15 season, the team finished last in the Metropolitan Division and would miss the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. After team captain Eric Staal
10350-558: The second half of the season, they could not overcome the deficit from early on in the season. The Hurricanes would end up with the seventh overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft , eventually selecting Jeff Skinner from the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Brind'Amour retired over the 2010 off-season to take a coaching job with the club. The 2010–11 season was widely expected to be
10465-579: The shrinking of the payroll to $ 26 million. The Hurricanes turned out to be one of the NHL's biggest surprises, turning in the best season in the franchise's 34-year history (including the years as the Whalers). They finished the regular season with a 52–22–8 record and 112 points, shattering the previous franchise records of 94 points (in the WHA) set by the 1972–73 Whalers and 93 points (in the NHL) set in 1986–87 . It
10580-409: The sleeves and socks. In 2013, the Hurricanes replaced their primary uniforms with a new set. The biggest changes for these uniforms included the omission of black and silver. On the red uniform, black was relegated exclusively to the neck piping, letter trim and logo, while on the white uniform, it was featured more prominently on the numbers and striping. Silver was almost completely removed from both
10695-558: The team played its first game in front of a sellout crowd at the Hartford Civic Center Coliseum , and would maintain its home there through 1997. As one of the most stable WHA teams, the Whalers, along with the Edmonton Oilers , Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets , were admitted to the NHL when the rival leagues merged in 1979 . However, under pressure from the extant NHL team in the New England area,
10810-524: The team would be based in Raleigh and practice in nearby Hillsborough —effectively saddling the Hurricanes with 82 road games for the next two years. This choice was disastrous for the franchise's attendance and reputation. With a capacity of over 21,000 people for hockey, the Greensboro Coliseum was the highest-capacity arena in the NHL. However, Triangle-area fans balked at making the 80-mile drive down I-40 to Greensboro. Likewise, fans from
10925-466: The team would move elsewhere after the 1996–97 season because of the team's inability to negotiate a satisfactory construction and lease package for a new arena in Hartford. On May 6, 1997, Karmanos announced that the Whalers would move to the Research Triangle area of North Carolina and the new Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA) in Raleigh . Due to the relatively short time frame for
11040-489: The team's interim general manager since the promotion of Francis. At the same time, it was announced that former team captain Rod Brind'Amour had been named head coach, after serving with the team as an assistant coach since 2011. On April 4, 2019, the Hurricanes won 3–1 over the New Jersey Devils , clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2009 and only the second time since their Cup win. During their stretch run,
11155-478: The team. Finally, the old goal horn from the Hartford Civic Center remains in use at PNC Arena. Kaiton and Forslund would both eventually leave the franchise; Kaiton in 2018 and Forslund in 2021. The Whalers were plagued for most of their existence by limited marketability. Hartford was the smallest American market in the league and was located on the traditional dividing line between the home territories for New York City and Boston teams. It did not help matters that
11270-539: The top entertainment venues in the Southeast." Additionally, there are plans for a new outdoor concert venue on site. In June 2022, the arena board approved a $ 25.8 million budget for the fiscal year (begins July 2022), that would be utilized on 17 different enhancement projects, including a $ 7.8 million replacement of the arena roof. On August 15, 2023, the Centennial Authority, Carolina Hurricanes, and NC State University announced intentions to move forward with renovation & redevelopment plans. Expected to begin in 2024,
11385-452: The tying goal. Just 48 seconds later, Chad LaRose sprang Eric Staal for a solo down-ice rush to give the Hurricanes 4–3 game and series win; Staal's goal was the latest regulation Game 7 winning goal in playoff history. The Game 7 comeback would become known as the "Shock at the Rock". In the second-round matchup with the top-seeded Boston Bruins , the Hurricanes ran out to a 3–1 lead before
11500-467: The year, the first player in franchise history to receive that honor. In December 2011, the Carolina Hurricanes fired coach Paul Maurice and hired Kirk Muller . On February 20, 2012, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Tim Gleason to a four-year, $ 16 million extension and two days later, on February 22, they also signed Tuomo Ruutu to a four-year, $ 19 million extension. Two months later the Carolina Hurricanes announced that they had signed Jiri Tlusty to
11615-433: Was added on the player's name, and upon moving to Reebok 's Edge template in 2007, piping was added on the shoulder yoke. In 2008, the Hurricanes unveiled their first black alternate uniform, featuring the flag logo in front and the primary logo (recolored to dark grey) on the shoulders. As with the primary uniforms, warning flag patterns dot the tail, albeit recolored to silver and black. "V" stripes of red and silver accent
11730-463: Was also the first time since 1993 that an opposing team (the Islanders), that swept their opponent in the first round, the Pittsburgh Penguins , would then go on to lose four straight and drop the series. This trend continued into the third round against the Hurricanes favor as they themselves were swept by the Boston Bruins, thus losing the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals. On February 22, 2020, on
11845-531: Was announced that the arena would receive a new Daktronics video board later that year. The board would be nearly three times as large as the then-current board. The new video board would feature a full 360 degree display, two underbelly screens and two underbelly static advertising signs. It will also be the first of its kind and one of only a few 360 degree video boards in the NHL. The board would cost $ 4.7 million, would stretch blue line to blue line, and would be 4,000 square feet (370 m). Original plans called for
11960-549: Was awarded the Jack Adams Award , being the first in Hartford/Carolina history to receive it. On June 30, 2021, it was announced that Tom Dundon had purchased all remaining minority shares in the team. The 2021 off-season saw the Hurricanes overhaul the roster, resulting in many players departing. Warren Foegele was traded to Edmonton for Ethan Bear , Ian Cole and Brendan Smith was signed to complement
12075-479: Was completed in 1999 with an estimated cost of $ 158 million, which was largely publicly financed by a hotel and restaurant tax. The Hurricanes agreed to pay $ 60 million of the cost, and the state of North Carolina paid $ 18 million. As part of the deal, the Hurricanes assumed operational control of the arena. Known as the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA) from 1999 to 2002, it was renamed
12190-492: Was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1995 as the governing entity of the arena, then financed by state appropriation, local contributions, and university fundraising. The Centennial Authority refocused the project into a multi-use arena, leading to the 1997 relocation agreement of the then- Hartford Whalers , who would become the Carolina Hurricanes . Construction began that year and
12305-429: Was finalized on January 11, 2018, with Dundon becoming majority owner and having a 61 percent stake in the team, while Karmanos retained a minority interest. Dundon wasted little time in overhauling the Hurricanes' front office. On March 8, 2018, the team announced that general manager Ron Francis had been moved to the role of president of hockey operations. However, Sportsnet reporter Elliotte Friedman reported that
12420-542: Was given a standing ovation by their home crowd as the game ended, erasing some of the doubts that the city would not warm up to the team. The Hurricanes made national waves for the first time in the 2002 playoffs . They survived a late charge from the Washington Capitals to win the division, but expectations were low entering the first round against the defending Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils. However, Arturs Irbe and Kevin Weekes were solid in goal and
12535-425: Was installed. In 2008, the arena renovated its sound system. Clair Brothers Systems installed a combination of JBL line arrays to provide improved audio coverage for all events. In June 2009, video crews installed a new Daktronics HD scoreboard. It replaced the ten-year-old scoreboard that had been in the arena since its opening in 1999. The scoreboard was full LED and four-sided with full video displays, whereas
12650-534: Was marked by an ultimately franchise-altering mid-season trade which saw Primeau dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers for several players, including future captain Rod Brind'Amour . With the move to the new arena, the Hurricanes introduced the "Storm Squad", the first cheerleaders for professional ice hockey in North America. In 2000–01 , the Hurricanes managed to claim the eighth seed, nosing out
12765-417: Was often preempted by Wolfpack basketball (for whose broadcasts WPTF was the flagship station), leaving these games totally unavailable to those who did not have a ticket. With by far the smallest season-ticket base in the NHL and attendance figures routinely well below the league average, Sports Illustrated ran a story titled "Natural Disaster", and ESPN anchors mocked the "Green Acres" of empty seats; in
12880-473: Was soundly defeated 4–0; the only bright point for the Hurricanes was the return of forward Erik Cole from a broken neck that had sidelined him since March. In Game 7, before the then second-largest home crowd in franchise history (18,978), the Hurricanes won 3–1, sealing the Hurricanes' first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. Cam Ward was honored with the Conn Smythe Trophy for being
12995-407: Was the 26th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 11, 1974, and 18th season since the franchise relocated from Colorado prior to the 1982–83 NHL season . After firing head coach Robbie Ftorek on March 23, the team won their second Stanley Cup championship on June 10, 2000, in a double-overtime victory in Game 6 of the 2000 Stanley Cup Finals against
13110-515: Was the first time ever that the franchise had passed the 50-win and 100-point plateaus. The 112-point figure was good for fourth overall in the league, easily their highest overall finish as an NHL team (tied with the third-overall Dallas Stars in points, but with one fewer win than the Stars) and second in the East (one point behind the Ottawa Senators ). The Hurricanes also ran away with their third Southeast Division title, finishing 20 points ahead of
13225-559: Was traded to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, the team finished sixth in the division during the 2015–16 season. Things did not improve in the 2016–17 season. The Hurricanes finished seventh in the division, missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season. The Hurricanes also experienced uncertainty about their future in Raleigh during this time. Karmanos was looking to sell the team, something he'd been trying to do for years. Attendance at PNC Arena had declined at
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