To commemorate the Autumnal Equinox, let us look back to something wonderful that happened the day before Summer Solstice.
It’s been a few days since Saturday, June 20th, 2026. That day, the Carolina Hurricanes celebrated their Stanley Cup victory with a triumphal parade.
As we have one more week before the 2026-2027 season, now is as good a time as any, to look back at recent events of the past season, and get hype.
200,000 people showed up to celebrate.
Here are some pictures of a few of them.
As we saw in a previous post, some folks made their own homemade Stanley Cups. The kid did a fine job.
We spotted Jarvy Boys.
We also ran into the kid from the Jumbotron with the Jarvy Harvard Swampshirt.
It was delightful to see the boy share his hand crafted Stanley Cup. Everyone was extremely stoked.
Early in the procession, Coach Rod Brind’Amour, who last won the Stanley Cup as the Captain of the Hurricanes 20 years ago, came down Morgan Street.
Mr. Brind’Amour seemed to approve of the boy’s craftsmanship:
Imagine for a moment you’re a young hockey player, and your favorite team, the one that trains where you practice and compete, wins the Stanley Cup…
…you make a Stanley Cup for the parade with your mom, take the bus downtown to catch the parade, sit in the summer sun for a couple hours, whisk your cup in front of all the people who showed up after you did…
…and the first man in generations to win the Cup as a coach for the same team he won the Cup he played for, and the only player-coach alive, that coach spots you and your cup.
Amazing experience.
The truly charismatic personality makes an effort to connect with as many people around them as possible.
Having a local sports legend, one who emphasizes hard work, is a blessing for parents with young athletes.
Following Coach Brind’Amour was a cavalcade of charisma.
The first bus had Bussi, Deslauriers, Svech, Carrier, Nikishin, Jankowski, and Kochetkov.
Deslauriers seems to appreciate the craftsmanship before him.
As Bus #1 turned down Fayetteville St. with its precious cargo, Bus #2, with Blake, Gostisbehere, Walker, Robinson, and Reilly took a left on Morgan St. from Salisbury St.
You can tell that the town loves the team and the team loves the town.
Bus #3 was a crowd favorite, with Ehlers, Anderson, Chatfield, Miller, Jarvis, Stankoven, and Kotkaniemi. It also carried the Prince of Wales Cup.
Two years ago, when my son started playing hockey, we met Jalen Chatfield. We told Mr. Chatfield that the boy started playing left defense, and asked if he had any advise. His response: ‘Don’t be afraid to get physical.’
I digress, here is Mr. Chatfield pointing at that kid and his cup.
When interviewed, Seth Jarvis lamented standing next to Miller as ‘Miller resembled a Greek god, and Jarvis a homeless man.’
Not my best picture, but Chatty is flexing and everyone is checking out the boy’s cup.
In this perspective video, recorded by the Freddie’s glasses, note our protagonist is in the middle of the frame at the end.
Much respect to the 3rd bus.
These fellas understand the assignment. As someone who heard the call and went Tarps Off at Lenovo Game 2, I feel reciprocated by the Olympians.
I saw the Canes get swept and watched the Prince of Wales Cup presented to the Penguins in 2009. Witnessed Florida taking that prize again game five of the ECF 2025.
The Prince of Wales Cup looks different meandering past the Capitol.
Well done penultimate bus.
At long last, the real Stanley Cup peered past the magnolias and oaks, with Hall, Slavin, Staal, Aho, and Martinook.
When it first arrived, Taylor Hall wielded it, but he handed it to #74.
Slavin wielded it with authority.
There are days that approach perfection.
