News Story about Carolina Hurricanes 1997-2002

[Canesfan1997]

If you take a neutral perspective on this team you should realize that it's really a fucking success.

[MasterJoBob]

average Winnipeg attendance in last season: 11,316, Lower than Phoenix

average Hartford attendance in last season: spiked to 13,000, but was 11,000 for years

At least Quebec was a consistent 14,500

you will never have an NHL team again and your memories of constant glory days and sold out arenas are delusional

Its over

[mrceebees14]

What the hell happened to the audio?

[gocanes93]

Very humbling. ESPN says the Hurricanes are #2 out of all pro sports teams, #1 in the NHL. We have come a long way. GO CANES!

[mcmike1989]

Conclusion...

That save led up to the very first NHL series victory the Whalers/Canes ever had. That was the greatest play in franchise history at that time, until 2006 of course. Winning a Stanley Cup as the Carolina Hurricanes (not the Hartford Whalers), there is a pretty good chance that the team won't go back to Hartford. I would look for a team like the Predators, Thrashers, Islanders, or Coyotes for a possibility for relocation. The Canes are here to stay, like it or not.

[1more4carhur]

@mcmike1989 i know this is 2 year ago and im sure you know about atlanta moving. but i would be very very shocked to see the islanders move based on their legendary teams they had in the 80-83 stanley cup dynasty. they've got a dedicated fanbase for sure. maybe the coyotes or preds might move (although preds look good right now), but one thing is for sure, the canes are awesome and they will stay here as long as there is a north carolina. LETS GO HURRICANES!!!

[mcmike1989]

Part 2...

I get that the team certainly had great, loyal fans (and was loved by the local and national media), and I did respect the Whalers, I was back then a very causal NHL fan. The team already had some great players (Francis, Liut, Dineen) when they played up there.

At first, I honestly didn't see the team having any success down here. Shows how much I know about Rutherford and Karmanos...

The one play that saved the Canes: Kevin Weekes' save in game 5 against the Devils.

[mcmike1989]

Part 1 of my comment...

I sense the frustration and jealousy from Whalers fans, but here is the reality to why the team moved: yes, the team struggled because it sucked and two, the local media treated the Canes like they are the Quebec Hurricanes (unfavorable media coverage, especially during the 1999 playoffs). Also, the Whalers would have definitely folded if they stayed there a couple of more seasons.

[thatdudecozz89]

Summer 2002...One of my favorite summers and my favorite NHL Playoff years ever, next to the 2006 Cup Victory. Too bad the 'Canes loss, the moving of the Hornets from Charlotte to New Orleans and the NBA leaving NBC were the lowlights of that summer as well.

[canesdude67]

great video, i remember 2002...awsome season, but also very upsetting at the same time. too bad irbe never did win a cup either...

[Canesfan7012]

yeah i kinda miss him he would work well with cam ward

[easton12]

I congradulate you guys. Don't worry about all the criticism, they are just jealous.

[nc4life61]

We have a great team. Some people just can't congratulate their success. We have good leaders like Brind'Amour, Wesley, Adams and Stillman. They work as a team helping each other. It continued from Ron Francis a classy player and person. Go Canes Go all Carolina teams and go caniacs they one ones who have moved here and the ones born here. Great comment above.

[joesakic91]

It's a great story. The Keith Primeau for Rod Brind'Amour trade was a great trade for the Canes. Brind'Amour has a Stanley Cup in his resume while Primeau doesn't.

[lbuzz234]

i think the primeau/brind'Amour trade was goo for goth teams. i dont think brind'amour would of taken us to a cup but priemau would of. its a shame that he had to retire before he got one.

[nc4life61]

I can understand. It's hard to lose your team. We love our Carolina Hurricanes. They are a great group of guys that appreciate their fans of past and present.Be proud of them. Good luck. Hope you get a team.

[Cptfrancis21]

Carolina sucks, period. Karmanos should be a speed bump on I-91. All you toothless hicks know nothing. Hartford is hockey, this franchise is always the Whalers and no respect should be given to a franchise of which thier logo looks like a toilet flushing. Hurricanes suck !!!! Lets Go Whalers

[nc4life61]

I'm sorry you feel this way. By the way there are no toothless hicks here. It's the southern charm with highly educated people who appreciate their sports. Ron Francis sure likes it here and Glen Wesley. IT is the Carolina Hurricanes and they made their success with new good players except 2 above(great guys)and the best fans. Read their interviews and comments. Caniacs are the best. People who make hick comments are clueless of what a hick is its not people of NC.

[CCampLI]

Cptfrancis21, Hartford never supported the Whalers, so shut your piehole and move on with your life.

[Cptfrancis21]

up yours...

[dementionX]

Sorry but MY WHALERS should never have been in Carolina

[gcgcgcg]

It's NORTH Carolina, thank you very much. And you should be proud of glen wesley winning the cup.