Hurricanes
Canes get together on Raleigh ice after NHL reaches deal
Published: 2013-01-07 17:04:00
Updated: 2013-01-07 19:13:54
Jan 7, 2013
Raleigh, N.C. — After a very long off-season that was extended by a 113-day lockout, the Carolina Hurricanes got back on the ice Monday as they went through an informal workout at Raleigh Center Ice.
With a new collective bargaining agreement tentatively reached, and training camp still a few days away, Canes players continued to hold their own workouts. The difference now is that they have been assured a season – something that was not so certain just a few days ago.
“Watching it day-by-day and being excited that we had potential to get back on the ice, to maybe seeing that there wouldn’t be any hockey at all, it was up and down at times,” said captain Eric Staal.
Hockey fans take in Checkers game in Raleigh
For the nearly two dozen die-hard fans that showed up Monday at RCI to watch the skate, the wait is now over as well.
“I'm just excited,” said Hurricanes fan Tony McCoy. “I saw that they signed. I'm ready for hockey to be back.”
Goaltender Cam Ward is excited to be back on the ice too and said Monday that the fans like McCoy are keeping the game moving in the right direction despite the hiatus.
“I had to believe that eventually things would get done and we would get back on the ice,” said Ward. “Our game is going in the right direction with the fan base and it would be a huge mistake to miss the whole season.”
But not all fans are on the same page and insist that with the shortened season, it will take more than just showing up to win them back.
“They're going to have to show me something that makes it worth hanging in there long term,” said Canes fan Edith Creasy.
“I'm not sure if I'll be attending any games this year,” added Kohl Schultz. “I'm not very happy with both owners and players. It was a rough go, I didn't appreciate it.”
Nearly seven months after the Canes made their deal for Eric Staal’s younger brother, Jordan, the two can now honestly say they’re on the same team.
“It feels like it’s just been a long visit here,” said Jordan Staal. “I’m excited just to be part of this organization and get to know the guys better and get to be part of a great team.”
Training camp could start as soon as this weekend with the season starting a week later. That presents a short amount of time to build a team – and rebuild a fan base
“I feel like we have a game that can grow,” Eric Staal said. “I feel like we have personnel in our league, with the help of ownership and the league, that can help bring the game to new heights.”
The details of the CBA still have to be formally signed onto by the league and the players association, but the basic parameters call for a strict salary cap, an extension of player benefits and a 50-50 split in revenue between the players and owners. The season will be no less than 48 games but could reach 50.
Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Most Recent Comments
RE: Canes get together on Raleigh ice after NHL reaches deal
you small-minded people......I was referring to "Carolina" because that is where we are....there are newby fans in every city that fit this same description "but don't act like you know the game or the players"....a new fan to hockey certainly can become knowledgeable....did not say that...in fact that is how the sport grows....many new fans in Carolina are knowledgeable about the game...but because you know the rules does not mean you know the strategy and intricacies (hope the word is no too hard for you)of the game...
- Posted by tired2
So, lets say you started watching hockey when the Icecaps were here, 1991-1998, all the way up to now with the Hurricanes. That's a total of 21 years. Does that qualify a person from N.C. to know hockey ? Coming from your statements, it's probably longer than you are old.
RE: Canes get together on Raleigh ice after NHL reaches deal
tired2... Just because we live here, doesn't mean we don't know anything about hockey... I'm from Hawaii and I bet I could lay you out on the ice, deke your skates off and deny you like Mr. Quick! And I'm talking about actually on the ice, not on your xbox ;-) You don't have to be from the North or Canada to know something about hockey, kid..
- Posted by shanemane1986
....seriously doubt it....kid....seems you need a real lesson
RE: Canes get together on Raleigh ice after NHL reaches deal
you small-minded people......I was referring to "Carolina" because that is where we are....there are newby fans in every city that fit this same description "but don't act like you know the game or the players"....a new fan to hockey certainly can become knowledgeable....did not say that...in fact that is how the sport grows....many new fans in Carolina are knowledgeable about the game...but because you know the rules does not mean you know the strategy and intricacies (hope the word is no too hard for you)of the game...
RE: Canes get together on Raleigh ice after NHL reaches deal
I understand those that want to boycott because they are mad, I really do, but just remember you boycott too long you take a chance of this team leaving! The NHL wants another team in Ontario, Quebec just built a rink and 2 cities in the US are building arenas big enough for the NHL. For whatever reason the league continues to sink money into Phoenix and unless they expand, that means any team that does not draw for a long period of time could be moved. Just something to keep in the back of your mind when you decide to boycott.
RE: Canes get together on Raleigh ice after NHL reaches deal
Who really cares about hockey. They do not work hard enough to earn even 1/1000th of what they get paid to skate around. All professional sports are a huge time sink for men. Why do you really care to watch a bunch of people get over paid to skate around in circles????? Study something interesting like day trading and make lots of money instead of idolizing a bunch of clowns.
- Posted by -f
spoken by someone who has never skated or played the game for a second, because if you did you would know how false that statement is!
