Hartford Whalers fan trigger warning! The Carolina Hurricanes, who relocated to Raleigh from Hartford in 1997, won their first and only Stanley Cup in 2006,  legitimizing the NHL’s commitment to building in the Sun Belt. After canceling the entire 2004-2005 season due to a bitter lockout, the league was in a precarious position -- seeking new fans in the South, while honoring its lifeblood in the North. A tension that remains today, as the 2026 Hurricanes have steamrolled their way into yet another Conference Finals.