The Carolina Junior Hurricanes have a rich history rooted in the development of youth hockey in North Carolina. This organization has grown from humble beginnings to become a prominent force in the region, fostering talent and providing opportunities for young players to excel.
PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, home of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Origins and Early Years
The history of the Raleigh Youth Hockey Association (RYHA) dates back long before the Triangle area ever dreamed of being home to an NHL franchise. Starting in 1987, the association set out to provide recreational and competitive youth hockey programming to transplanted families and beginners curious to get involved in the game of hockey.
Soon, the youth hockey market in the Triangle area grew to where local rinks could support house leagues on their own, and RYHA shifted to focus more on competitive travel hockey. Still, the problem to be solved was the perception that players had to leave North Carolina to gain any sort of exposure to reach the higher levels of hockey.
Partnership and Growth
In February 2007, Canes Youth and Amateur Hockey (CYAH), a division of the Carolina Hurricanes dedicated to growing and supporting participation in the game, entered into a partnership with the Raleigh Youth Hockey Association to form the Carolina Junior Hurricanes.
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In January 2019, the Junior Canes and the Carolina Eagles announced their intentions to pool the area’s best staff, coaches, and players under a single association - the Carolina Junior Hurricanes Hockey Association. The Junior Canes and Eagles made each other better through a great rivalry off the ice for talent and on the ice for championships.
Success and Recognition
In addition to team success, the Junior Canes also began to chip away at the narrative that players need to relocate for exposure. The Junior Canes are off to their best start since going 13-0-0-0 in 2019-20, one game off of their best-ever start. That 13-game run is also their best-ever winning streak.
For the 15th Anniversary season for the Junior Canes, players will wear a commemorative logo on helmets and practice jerseys to celebrate the progress that’s been made since 2007-08.
2006 Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Run
“Fifteen years from now, we’ll have North Carolina born and raised Junior Canes alums playing professional women’s hockey and in the NHL,” said association president Ben Swain. “We’ll also have Junior Canes alums using what they learned through the pursuit of their hockey goals to be leaders in other professions.
The Junior Canes kick off their 2022-23 competitive season in September, but are currently in full swing with 8U through 18U boys and girls tryouts.
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Carolina Junior Hurricanes Logo
Carolina Hurricanes: The NHL Connection
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference.
The franchise was formed in 1971 as the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association (WHA). As one of the most stable WHA teams, the Whalers, along with the Edmonton Oilers, Quebec Nordiques, and Winnipeg Jets, were admitted to the NHL when the rival leagues merged in 1979.
The team relocated to North Carolina in 1997, rebranding themselves as the Hurricanes. Carolina advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 2002, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings. The Hurricanes won 3-1, sealing the Hurricanes' first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history in 2006.
Recent Season Statistics
The Carolina Jr. Canes remain at first place in points in the USPHL Elite for the time being, leading with 24 points off a 12-1-0-0 record. The latest two wins in a string of now 10 in a row came at the expense of the first-year Columbia Infantry.
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2023-2024 Carolina Jr. Hurricanes Roster Facts
- Nationalities: 17 players
- Experience: Carolina Jr. Hurricanes: 32 GP
Carolina Jr. Hurricanes Tournament Statistics
| Season | Tournament | GP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | QC Int PW | 2 | 1.00 |
| 2022-2023 | QC Int PW | 3 | 1.67 |
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