Polite on the streets (OK, screens), “jerks” in the stands—clearly Usher needs to do a fan version of “Yeah” at the Lenny. We may proudly rep “Bunch of Jerks,” but for a fan base known for getting a little rowdy, Caniacs are apparently minding their manners.
In fact, Canes fans are the “most polite” fandom in the NHL, according to a new Canada Sports Betting study analyzing more than 1.6 million comments across all 32 teams’ subreddits for tone and such party fouls as profanity from August 2025 through September 2026.
And apparently Caniacs kept it clean, with just 8.62% of comments containing swears—the lowest rate in the league, followed by Pittsburgh and Washington fans. And let’s be real: If there’s anywhere to be a monster, it’s from behind a screen. So that’s saying something.
Turns out, we’re downright pleasant to boot: Carolina also ranked No. 5 for positivity, with San Jose taking No. 1. Meanwhile, Edmonton apparently forgot its manners entirely, taking the crown for both most foul-mouthed and most negative.
To be fair, the data doesn’t track behavior at the Lenny (we see you, “No means no, go Canes go” chant). Or perhaps RM reader Trevor Woodham said it best: “Because the ‘North Carolina kindness’ code hasn’t been cracked: Bless your poor, sweetheart.” But hey, we’ll take this crown and add it to our Stanley Cup bling. Bless our hearts, indeed.
The Carolina Hurricanes took home the Stanley Cup for the first time in 20 years—and to celebrate, our July/August issue includes a commemorative pullout cover, in partnership with Village District. Download it below!
The Canes’ championship run will have ripple effects far beyond hockey.
All eyes are on Raleigh. The Stanley Cup playoffs—and the Carolina Hurricanes’ first championship in two decades—weren’t just a big milestone for the Canes. They were a major moment for Raleigh itself, significantly furthering the city’s case as a premier sports destination.
Wherever there was playoff coverage, there was Raleigh. While those tapped into the sports industry already saw the potential, the national press and prestige the playoffs brought made it clear to everyone: Canes Country shows up.
“It’s the sellout attendance streak, the truly unmatched passion and fervor of the fanbase, and the way the city went absolutely bonkers,” says Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance Executive Director Scott Dupree, noting the caliber of events and opportunities—think the Stadium Series—that kind of attention can attract.
Photo courtesy of Carolina Hurricanes
Raleigh’s enthusiasm is nothing new. “It’s just an exclamation point on what we already knew,” maintains Shane Willis, manager of Youth and Amateur Hockey for the Canes and FanDuel Sports Network South color analyst. “We are solidifying that we’re a hockey city, and the NHL is thriving in NC.”
Beyond the fanfare, Raleigh’s sports market is unique—it’s not just major league sports on the scene, but also a close-knit college market with deeply rooted rivalries. As such, it’s rare to have everybody on the same page, notes Dupree, and that’s where the Canes come in.
“It’s a completely different dynamic when the whole Triangle rallies around one team,” he says. That unity, paired with fan fervor, could help attract future teams and marquee events to the region. And if you ask MLB Raleigh supporters, the Canes just handed their case a pretty compelling exhibit A.
Any remaining attitudes that Raleigh can’t sustain MLB have been dashed by the Canes, MLB Raleigh co-founder Lou Pascucci tells RM.
“We’re a sleeping giant,” he maintains. “They can’t wrap their heads around the idea that at 8am on game day the parking lot is filled with people drinking beer and hanging out for hockey, and that’s not new here.” If there are two things Raleighites love, it’s a team to root for and a beer in hand—and they’ll show up again and again for it.
Photo courtesy of Carolina Hurricanes
Canes owner Tom Dundon shares the sentiment: “We are going to put ourselves in a really good place, and if [MLB] decides to expand, we’ll have a compelling offer,” he said after clinching Game 6.
The impact extends far beyond the sports scene. Billion-dollar developments are accelerating the city’s growth, and the playoffs continue to shine a light on Oak City as not only an athletic hot spot, but an ideal place to work and live. “What’s most important here is the community—and what this does for the residents and the quality of life here,” adds Dupree.
Raleigh is already one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. “That’s going to accelerate thanks to the amazing standard of living we have here that’s anchored by sports and access to outdoor activities,” echoes Raleigh Economic Development Director Kyle Touchstone.
It’s cyclical: Growth attracts sports, sports attract growth and both reinforce Raleigh’s appeal. “We were front and center—every game night they mentioned Raleigh is the Canes’ home, or the game was in Raleigh,” remarks Touchstone. “It’s the kind of brand elevation you can’t pay for.”
Eight for eight. That’s the postseason run for Rod Brind’Amour—the only active NHL head coach to punch a playoff ticket in each of his first eight seasons behind the bench. Setting the standard—and with the Canes in contender mode—this may just be the year it all clicks. Take warning!
”New season, new life—same goal.” In a year that could deliver not one, but two shots at greatness—read: a Stanley Cup + Olympic gold—Jaccob Slavin remains as humble and chill as ever.
While skating toward literal history is no small feat, the Canes’ quiet cornerstone remains dialed in on what drives him—both on and off the ice. Now littering almost every awards watch list with a near-lock Olympic slot and a chance to finally push a franchise that’s long been flirting with the Cup, “Slavo” is just as likely to bend your ear about philanthropy, faith and family as he is about hockey.
This very well could be the year of Slavo—but either way, for the principled father of two, it’s just another chance to serve: with his game, his community and the people who drive him. We sat down with the defenseman in front of what is primed to be his biggest season yet to get to know the man off the ice—and bend his ear for some bold predictions.
What made Raleigh stick? The area, the people—just so many cool opportunities and situations God’s placed in our life over the 10 years, like our work with Raleigh Rescue Mission, Raleigh Dream Center, Refugee Hope Partners and a golf tournament I help co-host. It’s home.
Courtesy of Canes
Let’s talk family: How’d you end up adopting your daughter? My wife always had adoption on her heart. … After an event with a story about a 6-year-old boy who was adopted, on the way home, she said, ‘I want to adopt.’ It’s been so fun.
Game. Birth. Game. Walk us through it. That was 2019. We played Game 1 in Washington on Thursday—first time we made it back to the playoffs. She was born Friday in NC. Then we had Game 2 in Washington Saturday. I was there for all of it.
Memorable moments? For Canes, the Stadium series… but, personally, representing Team USA at the Four Nations last year was so cool—that game in Canada was unbelievable. And playoffs: Game 1 against Washington in 2019… I don’t think I’d ever heard the rink that loud. I was like, ‘Playoff hockey is awesome. And Raleigh is awesome.’
ESPN dubbed you the Team USA “Quiet Hero”—do you buy it? I don’t. I think that just comes with how I play the game and not being super flashy. I try to do my job as a defenseman and stop the best players.
Humility vs. confidence—how do you juggle it? It goes back to my faith. I’m only out there to glorify God, not to impress me or anyone else. Big picture, it doesn’t affect who I am as a sinner in need of grace. I can’t get prideful because I still need someone to come from Heaven and save me.
With the Olympics and playoffs, is this your biggest year yet? I try to go into each game and season with the same mindset: ‘What is my purpose here?’ We want to win the Cup. That’s everyone’s goal. First and foremost my allegiance is to my NHL team, but anytime you get to represent your country, you do it with pride and give it your all.
Last year’s playoffs lessons? We shot ourselves in the foot last year. Going down 3-0 in a series makes it hard to crawl back. Some goals we gave up were on mistakes—mismanaging the puck, penalties. We can’t be giving teams of that caliber those opportunities. In Game 4, we managed the puck well, played our game—and we won. Florida’s gone to the Cup the past three years because they stick to their game plan and execute it well.
The Eastern Conference Finals hump—what’s it gonna take? I don’t think it’s a head game… it’s more how guys are going to step up when that big moment comes. We need everyone to be playing their best hockey at that time.
People say you’re underrated—does that fire you up? I don’t feel disrespected. There are so many other good defensemen out there. I know I’m good at what I do, but I know the offensive guys are really good at what they do.
Bold prediction? Nikishin wins the Calder.
Is this the year? It definitely could be. We got better this offseason. We just have to get there and do it.
If not hockey? I gravitate to sports. Baseball was my other main sport, but I’d probably want to be a pro golfer—though I don’t have the skill for it.
Raleigh go-tos? Prime Barbecue—great food. My wife and I like Brewery Bhavana. We go to Marbles with the kids, and we like Blue Jay Point.
Current binge? Alaskan Bush People with my wife
In your earbuds? I love Christian hip-hop—KB, Lecrae, Andy Mineo. Forrest Frank is getting up there too.
Pastime off the ice? I enjoy cooking. I recently got into trying to learn how to smoke meats.
