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they want to be a part of the Carolina Hurricanes culture, which we've been able to build here." What helps Willis in his efforts is how the team has been at the forefront when it comes to community outreach. "Our players are so good about getting out into the community and being accessible, it makes our events that much more special and it's obviously a bigger draw as well," Willis said. It also helps that the Canes have created a wide variety of programming to get more kids interested in the game at a young age. Their version of First Goal, a leaguewide initiative, has been a roaring success, with this year's eight summer camps around the area fill- ing up in record time with more than 650 newcomers. There are also programs designed specifically for girls getting into hockey, with a roadmap outlining their path from Learn to Skate all the way to playing in an all-women's league. The team supports various house leagues in the state's 17 or so facilities and has long promoted travel hockey under the team brand. More growth is on the way, as Daniel pointed to a new rink slated to open next September in the Raleigh area and added that several more facilities are in various stages of the planning process. To make up for a lack of ice at times, the Hurricanes have invested heavily in their Canes In-School program, where thanks to the NHL's Industry Growth Fund team has been able to supply area schools with floor hockey equipment. There are also street hockey efforts that Willis said could expand beyond the Raleigh suburb of Apex, where the Canes have built two outdoor rinks. "It's just another way to take down a barrier," Willis said. "We know there's kids that would love to play hockey. They 've never skated before, maybe they don't have the avenue to get to rinks and learn that part of the game." Willis also points to the partnership the team has with the USA Hockey affiliate when it comes to cre- ating successful programs that open the sport up to even more youngsters. "Having an NHL team here is one thing, but if you don't have the support of a very well-run organization like the Carolina Amateur Association, you're going to have holes to fill," Willis said. "It's all part of working together as a great team to continue to grow the game, and they continue to show that success with the numbers here in the Carolinas." P OCTOBER 2026 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 45 USA HOCKEY REGISTERED PLAYERS IN NORTH CAROLINA HAS INCREASED 88% SINCE THE HURRICANES WON THEIR FIRST STANLEY CUP IN 2006. There are going to be hundreds of kids like my son who are going to look back and say, 'This is why I decided to start playing hockey, because of going to watch these guys win the Stanley Cup" — R I C K D A N I E L 88% WATCH: 2026 Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Victory Parade