RALEIGH, NC — In one of the most bizarre and emotional scenes of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson left the ice in tears Tuesday night after a failed attempt to join the Carolina Hurricanes’ postgame celebration ritual — the iconic Storm Surge.
What began as a hard-fought Game 4 ended in a stunning emotional unraveling, as Wilson, known league-wide for his rough-and-tumble play, tried to show his softer side… only to be met with rejection.
“I was just being goofy,” Wilson said, fighting back tears in the visitors’ locker room.
Wearing a towel like a cape and twirling it in mock celebration, Wilson skated toward the Hurricanes bench after the 4–2 loss, mimicking the Storm Surge — the Hurricanes’ signature postgame fan celebration. But instead of joining in the fun, Wilson was met with blank stares and a firm “No, Tom. Go away.”
The Capitals forward, whose aggressive style has made him a polarizing figure across the NHL, was visibly shaken. “I try to be a funny, light-hearted guy who makes others smile,” he said, a single tear streaking his cheek, “but people still don’t want me around.”
Wilson then opened up about a lifetime of exclusion:
“Ever since I was a kid, I was always picked last. For softball. Science fair. I once got kicked off the volleyball team just for tackling someone after a spike. I just wanted to belong tonight.”
The story took an even stranger turn when a CNN report accused the Carolina Hurricanes of fostering an “exclusive environment” — and even floated allegations of xenophobia toward Canadians. The article sparked outrage online, especially after fans pointed out that nearly half the Hurricanes roster hails from Canada.
Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky quickly issued a statement:
> “We hereby denounce the claim that we exclude people based on their race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual preference. This is completely untrue.
Myself and the Carolina Hurricanes pride ourselves in being the most inclusive environment in the National Hockey League.”
Social media lit up with reactions. Some fans showed sympathy for Wilson, calling his heartbreak “oddly relatable.” Others, particularly Canes fans, clapped back, saying the postgame celebration is sacred and “not a group therapy circle for opposing enforcers.”
Meanwhile, Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal addressed the moment with a smirk:
> “Look, we respect Tom as a competitor… but the Storm Surge is for winners.”
What’s Next?
The Capitals now trail the series 3–1, and Tom Wilson’s emotional outburst may be the most memorable moment of Washington’s playoff run — for better or worse. As for whether he’ll get a second shot at joining in on the Storm Surge? Highly unlikely. But at least now we know: even the NHL’s toughest guys just want to be liked.