2009 Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes had a fantastic 2008-09 season, finishing 2nd in the demanding Southeast Division and making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before being knocked out by eventual Stanley Cup winners the Penguins. Sticking with what works, there were few changes made in the offseason, though veterans Stephane Yelle (centre), Tom Kostopoulos (forward), Andrew Alberts (defense) and Aaron Ward (defense) joined the fold. If goaltender Cam Ward can stay healthy, the ‘Canes should be headed back to the playoffs, and maybe even have a shot at The Cup. The 2009-10 season looks bright for the Carolina Hurricanes, so snap up your RBC Center tickets now and get ready for the action!

The Hurricanes play at the RBC Center - Raleigh Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, and wear uniforms of red, black, and white. The team name and logo are taken from the high-velocity wind storms that often strike North Carolina's Atlantic seaboard in late fall and winter.

Before becoming the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997, the franchise played as the New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 to 1978, and as the Hartford Whalers in the NHL from 1979 to 1997.

As members of the Eastern Division of the WHA during the 1970s, the Whalers earned three division titles and one league championship. In 1977, 49-year-old Gordie Howe, who had already been named to the Hockey Hall of Fame, and his sons Mark and Marty joined the team. Gordie and Mark produced top scoring efforts that year, powering New England to a second trip to the WHA Finals. The Whalers lost the series to the Jets, whose offense was led by left wing Bobby Hull.

In 1979 the Whalers joined the NHL after the WHA and NHL merged. That same year the team changed its name to the Hartford Whalers. Gordie Howe played one more year with the team before retiring in 1980 at age 52.

In the 1980s and 1990s Hartford qualified for the NHL playoffs for seven consecutive seasons with lineups starring center Ron Francis and goalie Mike Liut. The team owners moved the franchise to North Carolina before the 1997-98 season and renamed the team the Hurricanes. In 2001-02, the Hurricanes went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the Detroit Red Wings, but they made up for it in the 2005-06 season, beating the Edmonton Oilers to take home the Stanley Cup.