Additionally, the financial difficulties of playing in a relatively small market began to take a toll on the Whalers' bottom line and—after an attempt to build a new arena in Hartford failed—the team was relocated to Raleigh in 1997 and renamed the Carolina Hurricanes.

They play in Raleigh, North Carolina, but they moved in 1999 from Hartford, Connecticut, where they were known as the Hartford Whalers. They play in the Metropolitan Division of the NHL. The name "Hurricanes" was chosen because the eastern part of North Carolina is often hit by hurricanes during tropical storm season.

Carolina played its first season in the Northeast Division before moving to the Southeast Division when the NHL realigned in 1998. The Hurricanes won one Stanley Cup, in 2005–06, and two Prince of Wales Trophy as Eastern Conference champions: 2001–02 and 2005–06.

This year, the Storm Squad has been replaced by an entertainment team that only uses flags and signs. The games are not the same without the Storm Squad's dazzling on-ice performances and energy in the stands, leading the fans with their cheers and dances.