2003 Second Round vs Devils

Lore & Background

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 at the end of the 1972–73 season. The Whalers again competed for the World Trophy in 1978, this time falling short to the Winnipeg Jets in a rematch of the 1973 Avco Cup Final. 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. The Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup Final twice in 2006 and in 2026. They are the only professional team from North Carolina to have won a major sports championship.

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with anticipation as the final buzzer approached in Raleigh. Roman Cechmanek stood tall in his crease, wiping sweat from his brow while the crowd roared for one more stopper. In the stands, a fan held a hand-painted sign reading 'Believe,' watching as Brind'Amour skated back up ice, knowing this win changed everything.

Reader's Guide

The Hurricanes play at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The team's history includes the Whalers era in Hartford and the move to Carolina in 1997. The Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in 2006 and 2026.

Did You Know?

• The Hurricanes were originally the New England Whalers of the WHA.
• The team moved to North Carolina in 1997 and was renamed the Carolina Hurricanes.
• The Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 2006 and 2026.
• The old goal horn from the Hartford Civic Center remains in use at Lenovo Center.