Carolina Hurricanes set to open NHL season

Chris Baird, Triangle Sports Network

From Staff Reports

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes made their final cuts on Tuesday.

Set to open the 2017-2018 National Hockey League (NHL) season at PNC Arena against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, the Hurricanes subsequently announced they would also reveal their captains on Thursday.

Following a 5-2 preseason that began with 59 players, Carolina’s season-opening active roster now includes two goaltenders, seven defensemen, and 14 forwards; a group that includes 2017 first-round pick Martin Necas.

To celebrate the beginning of the team’s 20th anniversary season, Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane proclaimed the week of October 2-7 to be “Carolina Hurricanes Week,” and more specifically, declared Friday (Oct. 6) to be “Carolina Hurricanes Day” in the City of Oaks.

To join in the celebration, residents and visitors in the Triangle area are encouraged to show their support by wearing Hurricanes colors to school and work.

“Raleigh is proud to support the Carolina Hurricanes,” McFarlane said.

“Over the past 20 years, the team has been a great community partner helping to draw national and international attention to Raleigh and creating over $2 billion in economic impact in the greater Raleigh area. I look forward to their continued successes on and off the ice and supporting the ‘Redvolution’ in Raleigh!”