#NHLPeachy @NHL #NHLStats Pack: Hurricanes Win Stanley Cup 20 Years After First
The Carolina Hurricanes surged through the first three rounds with the best record by a team entering a Final under the best-of-seven format and stormed back in a championship series for the ages to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history, five days short of the 20-year anniversary of the club’s first title (June 19, 2006).
Wire-to-wire for the win
* Carolina occupied a playoff spot the entire season, sat in first place in the Metropolitan Division from Dec. 11 onward, clinched an eighth consecutive postseason berth and lost only one game against the Ottawa Senators (4-0), Philadelphia Flyers (4-0) and Montreal Canadiens (4-1) to reach the championship series where it secured a 4-2 victory versus the Vegas Golden Knights during a historic Stanley Cup Final.
Staal delivers MVP performance during historic Cup run
* Jordan Staal won the Conn Smythe Trophy after tying a Final record for longest goal streak and became the first player in NHL history to go 17 years from one Stanley Cup to the next. His brother, Eric, was the leading scorer on the 2006 Hurricanes’ Cup-winning team.
No. 1 pick Hall had long road to a title
* Taylor Hall won his first Stanley Cup after hearing his named called first overall in the 2010 NHL Draft and playing nearly 1,100 career games with seven franchises across 16 seasons. He had the second-most contests by a No. 1 pick before his first championship behind Alex Ovechkin, with both players clinching their title against the Golden Knights in Vegas.
Slavin ousted Golden Knights after golden night in Milan
* Jaccob Slavin became the second American to win the Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal in the same season and first since Ken Morrow of the “Miracle on Ice” team.
The Danes were great
* Frederik Andersen and Nikolaj Ehlers joined Lars Eller as the only Danish Stanley Cup winners in NHL history. All three won the Cup by defeating Vegas in the Final.
Brind'Amour coached, captained Carolina to Cups
* Rod Brind'Amour joined rare company by coaching the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup 20 years after captaining the club to their first championship.
Raleigh is a major hockey hotbed
* The Hurricanes have given their devoted fanbase of “Caniacs” plenty to cheer about since the franchise arrived in Raleigh nearly 30 years ago following 18 seasons as the Hartford Whalers.
Hurricanes stormed back from series deficits in Final after going 12-1
Carolina swept its First and Second Round matchups before weathering a roaring Bell Centre following a lengthy wait in a five-game win against Montreal and rallying from series deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 versus Vegas during the Final to win the Stanley Cup.
* The Hurricanes’ sweep of the Senators made Carolina the third team in NHL history with a series win in eight straight playoff years, following Montreal (10 from 1984-93 & 1951-60) and Philadelphia (9 from 1973-81). The Hurricanes followed that up by becoming the fifth team in League history with an eight-game postseason-opening winning streak after the 1985 Oilers (9-0), 1969 Blues (8-0), 1960 Canadiens (8-0) and 1952 Red Wings (8-0).
* The Hurricanes went 8-1 as visitors during these playoffs to establish a single-postseason franchise record for road wins, besting the previous high set in 2002 (7-5 in 12 GP). They became the seventh team in NHL history with eight wins through nine road games in a playoff year after the 2012 Kings (9-0), 2023 Panthers (8-1), 2022 Avalanche (8-1), 1999 Avalanche (8-1), 1995 Devils (8-1) and 1980 Islanders (8-1). Of note, the 2020 Lightning went 8-1 through their first nine games as the road team in the neutral-site “bubbles” at Scotiabank Arena and Rogers Place.
* Carolina had a perfect 6-0 record through its first six overtime contests this postseason before suffering a 2OT defeat during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Hurricanes were the third team in League history with wins in each of their first six overtime contests during a playoff year after the 2023 Panthers and 2003 Mighty Ducks (both 7-0).
* Carolina contributed to a record-breaking Stanley Cup Final by following up its multi-goal comeback win in Game 2 with a 4-0 third-period rally including three tallies in a 39-second span before earning consecutive victories to vanquish Vegas. The Hurricanes had at least four goals in each of the first five contests during the championship series.
Staal secures SECOND Stanley Cup 17 years after his first championship
Jordan Staal captured the Conn Smythe Trophy and captained the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup 17 years after his first championship with the 2009 Penguins, which marked the most by a player from one title to the next in League history. He bested the previous high set by Chris Chelios (16 from 1986 MTL to 2002 DET).
* Staal (37 years, 277 days) became the oldest Stanley Cup-winning captain since Nicklas Lidstrom (38 years, 37 days in Game 6 of 2008 SCF). Lidstrom led the Red Wings past Staal and the Penguins in the 2008 Final before Staal helped Pittsburgh defeat Detroit during the 2009 championship series.
* Staal attended the 2006 Final as a 17-year-old top prospect for the NHL Draft before his brother, Eric, became the first in the family to hoist the Stanley Cup. They are the 17th set of siblings in League history to each win at least one championship with the same franchise and the fifth for a non-Original Six club after Rob and Scott Niedermayer (w/ ANA), Denis and Jean Potvin (w/ NYI), Brent and Duane Sutter (w/ NYI) as well as Jimmy and Joe Watson (w/ PHI).
* Staal became the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner and just the second to be named playoff MVP at age 37, following goaltender Tim Thomas with the 2011 Bruins (37 years, 61 days). The previous mark for oldest forward to win the Conn Smythe was set the first year it was presented: Jean Beliveau (33 years, 243 days) with the 1965 Canadiens.
Hall clinches first Stanley Cup after going FIRST overall in 2010
Taylor Hall had the championship-clinching goal to win his first Stanley Cup after being chosen by Edmonton with the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NHL Draft and playing 1,062 career games with seven different franchises across 16 seasons. He had the second-most contests by a No. 1 pick before his first Cup behind Alex Ovechkin, who also clinched his against the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena with the 2018 Capitals.
* Hall added a Stanley Cup to his decorated trophy case that includes winning the Hart Memorial Trophy with the 2017-18 Devils as well as two Memorial Cups at the junior level (2010 & 2009) and a pair of World Championship gold medals on the international stage (2016 & 2015). Hall and Mike Reilly became the sixth and seventh players in NHL history to win their first Cup after playing for at least seven franchises following Dmitry Kulikov (8; 2024 FLA), Curtis McElhinney (8; 2020 TBL), Luke Schenn (7; 2020 TBL), Jim McKenzie (7; 2003 NJD) and Carl Voss (7; 1938 CHI).
* Hall was linemates with Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, with the trio combining for 25 goals and 55 points this postseason including 10-12—22 in four potential series-clinching games. Stankoven’s team-leading 11 tallies during these playoffs marked the club’s second highest single-postseason total behind Rod Brind’Amour (12 in 2006), while Blake became the third 20-point scorer in franchise playoff history after Eric Staal (28 in 2006) and Cory Stillman (26 in 2006).
Slavin, Jarvis win Stanley Cup together after jousting for gold medal
Jaccob Slavin and Seth Jarvis won the Stanley Cup together less than four months after Slavin helped Team USA defeat Jarvis and Team Canada in the gold medal contest at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Slavin became the second American (ninth from any country) to win the Cup and Olympic gold in the same season following Ken Morrow, who completed the feat with the 1980 Islanders after playing for the “Miracle on Ice” team.
* Jarvis became the sixth player to capture a Stanley Cup in the same season after earning a silver medal at an Olympics with NHL participation, following Patrick Kane (2010 CHI), Chris Chelios (2002 DET), Brett Hull (2002 DET), Sergei Fedorov (1998 DET) and Dmitri Mironov (1998 DET). Jarvis won the Cup in front of his traveling band of buddies known as the "Good Ol' Canadian Boys," who were on hand at the Final and Olympics.
Aho, Martinook and Svechnikov also capture Cup after lengthy tenure
Sebastian Aho (10 seasons since 2016-17), Jordan Martinook (8 seasons since 2018-19) and Andrei Svechnikov (8 seasons since 2018-19), the Hurricanes’ longest-tenured players after Jordan Staal (14 seasons since 2012-13) and Jaccob Slavin (11 seasons since 2015-16), won their first Stanley Cup after at least eight consecutive campaigns with the club.
* Carolina became the third Stanley Cup champions in NHL history with five or more players who each captured their first title with that club after a tenure of at least eight straight seasons. The Hurricanes joined the 2020 Lightning (Victor Hedman, Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Ondrej Palat & Steven Stamkos) and 2018 Capitals (Nicklas Backstrom, Jay Beagle, John Carlson, Braden Holtby & Alex Ovechkin).
* Aho, the franchise’s all-time playoff leader in every major scoring category, captured the Stanley Cup after winning a bronze medal with Team Finland at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He became the fifth player with a Cup in the same season after winning bronze at an Olympics with NHL participation, following Frantisek Kaberle (2006 CAR) as well as Pavel Datsyuk, Sergei Fedorov and Igor Larionov (2002 DET). Kaberle had Carolina’s championship-clinching goal in Game 7 of the 2006 Final.
Great Danes Andersen, Ehlers win Stanley Cup together
Frederik Andersen and Nikolaj Ehlers became the second and third Danish Stanley Cup winners in NHL history after Lars Eller, who scored the championship-clinching goal against the Golden Knights with the 2018 Capitals. Andersen concluded the postseason with a 13-2 record through 16 appearances (1.89 GAA, .910 SV%, 3 SO).
* Andersen was chosen by Carolina with the No. 187 pick in the 2010 NHL Draft before re-entering and going to Anaheim with the 87th overall selection in 2012. He became the seventh Stanley Cup winner in League history that was selected twice after Jarret Stoll (2014 & 2012 LAK), Viacheslav Fetisov (1998 & 1997 DET), Nick Boynton (2010 CHI), Mike Zigomanis (2009 PIT), Mike Rupp (2003 NJD) and Scott Parker (2001 COL).
Brind'Amour put faith in Bussi midway through Stanley Cup Final
Brandon Bussi, whose patience and perseverance paved the path to his playoff debut in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, closed out the championship series with a shutout and a 3-1 record through four appearances (1.60 GAA, .931 SV%, 1 SO) to become the first goaltender since 1975 (when the Preliminary Round was introduced) with a title-clinching win after not appearing in any of the previous three rounds. Bussi was also the second netminder in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1968) and eighth in League history with a Cup clincher after not starting during Game 1 of the Final.
* Rod Brind'Amour’s starting goaltender change helped him become the fourth individual in NHL history to captain a Stanley Cup winner and then lead that club to another championship as head coach. He joined Toe Blake with the Canadiens (2 as captain, 8 as coach), Hap Day with the Maple Leafs (1 as captain, 5 as coach) and Cooney Weiland with the Bruins (1 as captain, 1 as coach).
* The Hurricanes became the first Stanley Cup-winning team in 41 years with multiple starting goaltenders during the Final and third in the expansion era after the 1984 Oilers (Grant Fuhr & Andy Moog) and 1972 Bruins (Gerry Cheevers & Eddie Johnston).
CARRIER’S SECOND CUP, GOSTISBEHERE’S FIRST AMONG OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
More highlights from Carolina’s run to its second Stanley Cup in franchise history:
* William Carrier won the second Stanley Cup of his career after capturing a championship at T-Mobile Arena with the 2023 Golden Knights. Carrier and Jordan Staal (2009 PIT) are the only previous winners on the Hurricanes’ championship roster.
* Shayne Gostisbehere led Hurricanes defensemen in goals (3), assists (9) and points (12) during these playoffs en route to winning his first Stanley Cup. His 12 points were one back of the single-postseason franchise record by a blueliner set by Frantisek Kaberle (13 in 2006).
* Gostisbehere (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) became the second Florida-born Stanley Cup winner in NHL history after Dan Hinote (2001 COL). Florida is one of eight U.S. states represented among the birthplaces for Hurricanes players that meet engraving criteria (also Jaccob Slavin: Colorado; Mike Reilly: Illinois; Jalen Chatfield: Michigan; K'Andre Miller: Minnesota; Jackson Blake; North Dakota; Eric Robinson: New Jersey; Brandon Bussi: New York), which bested the 2017 and 2016 Penguins (both w/ 7) for the most on a championship roster in NHL history.
* Pyotr Kochetkov dressed in each contest since Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and met the criteria to have his named engraved on the trophy. The Hurricanes became the fourth Stanley Cup-winning team over the last 30 years with three goaltenders on their championship roster, following the 2023 Golden Knights (Laurent Brossoit, Adin Hill, Jonathan Quick & Logan Thompson), 2016 Penguins (Marc-Andre Fleury, Matt Murray & Jeff Zatkoff) and 1997 Red Wings (Kevin Hodson, Chris Osgood & Mike Vernon).
* Slavin’s brother, Josiah, is captain of the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and currently competing in the 2026 Calder Cup Finals. Notable sets of brothers with a Stanley Cup and AHL championship in the same season include Dick and Les Duff (1968, 1966 & 1965) as well as Frank and Peter Mahovlich (1967).
* The Hurricanes became the second franchise to win multiple Stanley Cups after relocating to a different metropolitan area in the 1990s or later after the Avalanche (2022, 2001 & 1996), who have three including one during their first season in Denver following 16 campaigns as the Quebec Nordiques. Carolina frequently honors its history by wearing Hartford Whalers jerseys, including in multiple games against Colorado where the Avalanche sport Nordiques sweaters.
* The NHL’s six championships by clubs who moved to a different metropolitan area in the 1990s or later (also 1999 DAL) are two more than the combined total from MLB, NBA and NFL. The list below excludes the two-time Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens, whose formation involved absorbing Cleveland Browns players and personnel while being considered a new franchise.
