Twenty years ago, on May 6, 1997, Peter Karmanos announced at a press conference that the Hartford Whalers would relocate to North Carolina, becoming the Carolina Hurricanes.
Yes, it’s really been twenty years.
In that time, the Triangle has been treated to some extraordinary highs — a Stanley Cup, three Eastern Conference Final appearances, three division titles, the NHL All-Star Game — and some depressing lows — the Greensboro black curtain, a season where the top goal scorer didn’t crack 20 goals, and a too-long playoff drought.
With the Canes’ bye week coming up, we thought it would be a good time to come up with a list honoring the top 20 Hurricanes players of the past 20 years.