After every home win, the Carolina Hurricanes will congregate at center ice to perform a wacky celebration with fans. Should this continue?
Hockey desperately craves personality. The players are notorious for being bland and it’s hard for fans to get emotionally involved with robots. What the Carolina Hurricanes are doing after every home win is unique and adds some fun into the game.
It all started when the Hurricanes beat the New York Rangers for their first home win. Lead by captain Justin Williams, the entire team started doing the Skol clap along with the fans and then leaped onto the boards to finish it off. After, Williams told reporters the reasoning behind this cool new celebration.
"I just think that if we can have fun doing what we love, we’re going to be better for it. Hockey’s a tough game. There are good days and bad days. But if you can enjoy yourself by working hard, we’re going to be a lot more cohesive on the ice. Become not just guys on the ice, but brothers on the ice."
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Ever since, the Canes have been doing it after every home game and they don’t seem to be stopping any time soon. In fact, they have added many different variations, with kayaking and stick riding being some of them.
People watch sports and go to the games to be entertained. They’re watching people play a game. It’s meant to be fun, not serious and full of structure.
A lot of people have been supporting the Canes, applauding their creativity, while others (most notably Brian Burke) have called it immature and not NHL-worthy.
"I think it’s absurdly amateurish, pee-wee garbage stuff…They like it — terrific. Stay and watch it. Clap. Have another beer and stay and watch them swim or canoe or whatever they’re going to do next. I’m not watching."
Many other fans around the league have been criticizing as well, but the Hurricanes don’t care. They’re winning and having fun which is all that matters.
WARNING:
— Bally Sports: Canes (@CanesOnBally) November 24, 2018
The following video contains fun. If you experience shortness of breath and anger after watching this video. you're likely suffering from "Brian Burke Disease." Please consult your nearest Caniac if you suffer from these symptoms for the cure.#TakeWarning pic.twitter.com/QozCy7qvYH
This season, personality has been leaking into the game. The Philadelphia Flyers’ mascot Gritty, the Vegas Golden Knights and all their theatrical productions, and the Hurricanes doing their post-game cellys. The NHL is slowly adding more fan interactions and it’s great for the growth of the league. Fans are fans because they are emotionally invested in something. Doing all these extra things to reach out to them will strengthen the bond and make the entire atmosphere much more fun.
For years, the Hurricanes have been on the butt-end of the arena joke as they have never consistently filled the PNC Arena with Caniacs. The celebration, along with the success of the team, gives casual fans a reason to watch the games and fill the seats. All the social media attention also gives the team more advertising and encourages others to come to see this for themselves. At the end of the day, this gives fans a much more unique experience which makes them eager to return for more.
This season will mark the turning point of the NHL, as they shift from their traditional, strict culture to one where personalities are embraced and differences are celebrated.