It’s time for the Hurricanes to take it outside
By Tyler Young
It’s time for Carter-Finley Stadium to host an NHL game under Tom Dundon
From the day he was announced as the new owner of the Hurricanes, Tom Dundon has been a force pushing the Hurricanes to new places. He’s brought back and energy to a team that’s been missing since 2006. There is, however, one stated goal of his that he has yet to achieve: an outdoor game at Carter-Finley Stadium.
This something he’s been campaigning for from the beginning, discussing the matter with Commissioner Gary Bettman while he was in town for Dundon’s introductory press conference. In fact Dundon and Bettman have been in constant discussion on the viability of such an event since that day. Dundon even convinced top NHL executives to come out and tour Carter-Finley Stadium personally, using orange cones in the shape of a rink on the field to demonstrate the sightlines of the stadium.
The NHL has proven in the past that snow is not a requirement for an outdoor game anymore, such as the games held in California, or even the upcoming game from the Cotton Bowl in Texas. North Carolina’s variable weather is no longer a valid excuse for not bringing the event to Raleighwood.
The NHL can also look to the 2011 All Star Weekend for an example of a major event working in this market. The Event was a huge success for the area and the league, and there is every reason to believe that bringing the Stadium Series to Raleigh would be the same. The “Bunch of Jerks” phenomena introduced the franchise to new audiences around the globe, as proven by the fact that merchandise was sold to all 50 states as well as multiple countries. An event like this would continue to expand the brand to new heights.
The easiest way to ensure that this event would succeed would be the pick the right opponent. The obvious choice would be the Washington Capitals. An old rivalry from the Southeast Division days, settled on the field of Carter-Finely. The Capitals have a strong fanbase, are close geographically and the playoff series from this past season proves that the teams play intense, entertaining hockey.
This event would be an opportunity to spotlight a market that doesn’t get much recognition from the league, but has a charm that has to be experienced to understand. The features brought over from the local college fandoms uniting under one banner makes the culture one of the most in unique in the league.