Raleigh's Stanley Cup Eruption
Carolina Hurricanes Celebrate Stanley Cup Victory with 150,000 Fans in Downtown Raleigh
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Key Points
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It was the first time since 2006 that the Stanley Cup was paraded through Raleigh’s streets, marking a rare local milestone for the Hurricanes’ championship celebration.
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Carolina’s only playoff setback before winning the Cup came in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, when the Hurricanes lost to the Montreal Canadiens, after which “they went on to win the next four games” to close the series.
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GM Eric Tulsky highlighted that veteran enforcer Nic Deslauriers—acquired from Philadelphia at the trade deadline—played only seven regular-season games and one postseason game, but “made an impression” and was rewarded with a new two-year deal; Tulsky also described him as a “big locker-room guy” who plays with “a ton of heart.”
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The warm, humid weather led to practical on-site antics: players cooled themselves by taking tarps off, and the Fox report also included a lighter aside speculating about Rod Brind’Amour’s involvement with a Michelob Ultra move.
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WRAL cautioned that the rally video itself may contain language “not appropriate for all audiences,” complementing the story’s broader warning that some remarks included strong language.
About 150,000 fans packed downtown Raleigh on June 20 to celebrate the Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup championship, marking the city's first title parade in 20 years, according to WRAL. The crowd — equal to roughly one-third of Raleigh's total population — flooded Fayetteville Street for a rally full of player speeches, on-stage antics, and at least one colorful contract announcement.
The Hurricanes finished the 2026 playoffs 16-3, sweeping the first two rounds before dropping just one game in the Eastern Conference Final. They then beat the Vegas Golden Knights in six games to claim the franchise's second Cup title, Fox News reported.
Deslauriers Signs Deal On Stage to Roaring Crowd
The rally's loudest moment came from an unlikely source. Enforcer Nic Deslauriers, acquired from Philadelphia at the trade deadline for a conditional seventh-round pick, grabbed the microphone and shouted his new two-year contract to the crowd, according to NHL Trade Talk. The deal is worth $875,000 per year — half his previous salary.
Deslauriers played only seven regular-season games and one playoff game for Carolina. But GM Eric Tulsky said he "made an impression" and called him a "big locker-room guy" who plays with "a ton of heart," WRAL reported. Tulsky also revealed that several deadline acquisitions personally thanked him for the trades.
Brind'Amour Goes Tarps Off in Raleigh Heat
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour — who won the Cup as a player with Carolina in 2006 — helped keep the energy high despite 90-degree heat and humidity. Players shed their shirts to cool down, and Brind'Amour joined in, Fox News reported. A lighter moment involving a Michelob Ultra also drew cheers from the crowd.
Owner Tom Dundon was visibly stunned by the turnout. "I did not expect that, for sure," he told reporters. Forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who posted 11 points in the playoffs and scored a clutch overtime winner in the Eastern Conference Final, was among the players celebrated on stage, WRAL noted.
One Playoff Loss, Then Four Straight Wins to Advance
Carolina's path to the Cup was nearly flawless. The Hurricanes swept Ottawa and Philadelphia in the first two rounds without dropping a game, according to Fox News. Their only stumble came in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens. They responded by winning the next four games straight to close out the series.
Carolina then defeated Vegas in six games, clinching with a 3-0 win in Game 6 on June 14. The final playoff record of 16-3 puts the Hurricanes among the most dominant Cup runs in recent memory, USA Today noted. The team's only regular-season addition of note cost just a seventh-round pick.
Raleigh Cements Itself as a Major Hockey Market
The 150,000-person crowd shattered Raleigh's previous single-event records, surpassing even the city's Wide Open Music Festival, according to local reports. Mayor Janet Cowell officially declared June 20 "Carolina Hurricanes Day" the day before the parade. The city has added about 150,000 residents since the 2006 championship, transforming from a college town into a recognized pro sports hub.
WRAL cautioned viewers that rally video may contain language "not appropriate for all audiences," reflecting the raw, unfiltered nature of the on-stage speeches. The Carolina Hurricanes Foundation also donated 150,000 meals to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina during the Cup run, WRAL reported.
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