Thought I’d take a moment to share something special today—a true blast from the past that still gives me chills every time I look at it. It’s a picture of the Carolina Hurricanes from our very first season in 1997-98, taken straight from the game program I bought at my first-ever Canes game at the Greensboro Coliseum. The opponent? None other than the Montreal Canadiens. The energy? Electric.
Back then, nobody really knew what to expect from this newly relocated team from Hartford. The Whalers were gone, and the Hurricanes were just starting to build their identity. Greensboro wasn’t the long-term home, but for those of us lucky enough to be there during those early years, it was unforgettable.
The program itself is pure nostalgia—bold graphics, player profiles full of potential, and that iconic red and black storm warning logo staring back at you like a symbol of things to come. Names like Keith Primeau, Gary Roberts, and Arturs Irbe were just beginning to etch their place into our memories. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were witnessing the birth of a team that would go on to lift the Stanley Cup less than a decade later.
That night against Montreal, the crowd was buzzing. Even though the building wasn’t quite full (we’ll admit it took some time to build a fanbase), the passion from the fans who were there made up for it in spades. It was raw, unpolished hockey energy—the kind that makes you fall in love with the sport forever.
It’s amazing how far we’ve come since that moment. From the growing pains in Greensboro to the unforgettable magic of 2006, to the loud, proud storm surges of recent years at PNC Arena, this franchise has carved out a legacy.
But for me, it all started with that program, that team photo, and that first game in ’97. I’ll always be grateful for that night—and I’ll always be a Cane for life.
Do you have memories from that inaugural season? Let’s talk about it in the comments below. And hey—Go Canes