“Bunch of jerks”
On Saturday, the Hurricanes continued their winning ways and in the process climbed up into playoff position.
But the biggest buzz around Saturday’s game came afterward and came ironically not from the outcome of the game or the place in the standings. The greatest buzz came instead from the latest northern criticism of the team’s Storm Surge. Don Cherry from Hockey Night in Canada went on a mini-tirade with the money quote being “Bunch of Jerks”. That slogan has since become a rallying cry for the Caniac Nation’s uniqueness and is now available in t-shirt form from the Hurricanes (though they are already sold out and will need to restock).
The Storm Surge itself and the commotion around it maybe even more so are much-deserved fun for loyal Caniacs who have had to weather some lean times in recent years. And the uniqueness will no doubt weave its way into the fabric of Carolina Hurricanes hockey culture as yet another example of doing it our own way.
The early days and foundations of Hurricanes hockey culture
For me, the whole situation hearkens back to the early days of the franchise in North Carolina. When the team first arrived, it was adopted by some northern transplants who grew up with NHL hockey. But from the beginning and even more so during the early success in the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, the team was adopted by many fans who did not grow up watching NHL hockey.
The fan base developed from scratch with a huge component that was new to NHL hockey. That unique genesis of a fan base played directly into building the foundation of the team’s culture. As such, many in our group of early fans did not know exactly what they were supposed to do as NHL fans. There was going to be some figuring it out and awkward adolescence anyway, but that was amplified by the minority contingent of condescending northern, traditional market fans. Important to note is that the vast majority of northern, traditional market fans are good people and not condescending. But unfortunately, the negative ones tend to be the loudest, and for a new fan base that maybe had some insecurity, that portion of the fan base is also the one that is most heard.
Instead of trying to pass muster with critics who were never going to be satisfied anyway, the early Caniac Nation mostly went the other direction. We did it our own way. Tailgating became central to the Carolina Hurricanes hockey culture. And in game, rather than being a fan base that cautiously waited, assessed and analyzed we mostly went with ‘when in doubt just make a ton of noise.’
The result was a culture that we could call our out that was founded on fun. We did our own incredible version of pregame with tailgating. Then, during the game, we leveraged the playoffs to stake a claim to being the loudest arena in the NHL. And the end result was a unique culture built with fun as its foundation.
Back to the here and now
Fast forward to today, and I think the Storm Surge is right up the same alley. First, it very clearly is a unique contribution to the NHL. Second, the Storm Surge is 100 percent predicated on fun. And I think that is where the old school hockey media misses a point. Dating back 20 years, our fan base does not care that much about the opinions of the condescending portion of the NHL fan base. We care about having fun with our NHL team.
So I encourage Canes fans to revel in the fun of the Storm Surge and mostly ignore the haters as we add another layer to the fabric our unique Hurricanes hockey culture.
What say you Canes fans?
1) What are your thoughts on the occasional backlash on the Storm Surge?
2) What else do you think will become part of this team’s fabric/culture during its in-process third rising?
Go Canes!
1) Cranky people gotta crank. I went on record stating Team Gritty and Team Grind seemed more appropriate for high school teams. I have said since day one that cheerleaders don’t really make any sense. I love the surge. It is fun and lets the fans feel like they are part of the win after a home game. (Compare the number of people doing the Skol clap to the number of people cheering when the Storm Squad is urging them on.) To paraphrase the NHL: Skol clap is for everyone.
2) I have no idea–I admit I never saw the storm surge coming, nor the backlash, nor the terrific response to the backlash. But what do I know, I am only part of this great bunch of jerks at Canes and Coffee.
Yeap, the Canes fans are unique, different, I’d say some of the coolest.
This Canadian grumbling doesn’t make much sense to me. These celebrations do not dishonor the other team and take place after the game.
I think, instead of criticizing Canes post game celebrations, that the Canadian media could focus on the reasons why they have not won a cup in almost 20 years.
I also like the viking clap (or skol clap), popularized by a group of outsiders, i.e. my fllow countrymen of Iceland (over 5% of the nation of Iceland traveld to France to attend Iceland’s first ever major soccer tournament appearance in 2016, that is the recent origin of the viking clap).
In the early 70’s I lived in Keflavik for a year. What a fascinating, fun place. Icelander’s are hard working, hard playing folks 24/7 that are joy to be around. I have many fond memories of that year.
Iceland has changed a lot since then, but it is still populated by hard working people who are a little bit crazy and like to have fun.
Beer was banned until 1989, now a lot of eastern European people have settled in Iceland and brought their craft with them, making the beer scene about as exciting as the triangle.
Does it still have the most beautiful women in the world? Beer was not available when I was there, but there was freewheeling consumption of everything else alcoholic. Great people, great fun, spectacular scenery every where in the country.
1) the backlash draws more attention to the canes, so all coverage is good coverage. The Storm Surge is sucking all of the oxygen out out of the Canadian media and it doesn’t leave much space for them to talk about anything else. At least in the highlight clips.
That said, if Don Cherry were to ask me what I think of him, the answer is “I don’t think of him”. The only thing I don’t love about the “bunch of jerks” shirts is that it reminds me of… Don Cherry. The fossilized rodeo clown of hockey.
What also draws more attention to the canes and storm surge is when other teams mock it. So that doesn’t bother me either. If our boys don’t like it, win the game.
2) Tailgating is a great part of the Canes experience. The cheerleaders are fun, the storm surge is fun. Greater accessibility of the players is probably next. Tom Dundon has had them doing a few more activities with fans and I see that only increasing, as long as we continue to bring in the big personalities.
The missing sentence: The only time I notice the rodeo clown is when he gets out in front of the bull, in his colorful clothing, and the bull wins.
I honestly get why some people are uncomfortable about this. It’s vastly different from any North American pro team. Change is hard for people. And it DOES feel a little like something that a minor team would do. BUT, so does Stormy, tshirt air guns, etc. All of these things are done not for the hockey purists. The freakin kids love this stuff and make games memorable. Ask anyone under 15 who attends a Canes win what their favorite part of the game was and I’ll bet it was either the Storm Surge… or Dippin Dots.
I think it also was an incredibly gutsy move by Williams and RBA. They had to know that there’d be criticism. And worse, there could have been real opposition within the locker room. Instead, I feel like it’s this powerful reminder to a young team to stay loose and have fun.
The motto of the “old-tyme” hockey markets should be “100 years of tradition, unmarred by progress.” The hockey pundits like Don Cherry and Bill Waters are becoming museum pieces in a diorama; useful to remind us how hockey was in the good old days; not part of how hockey will thrive in the future.
Hey guys, long time reader of the blog and first time poster. Really enjoy the content and opinions on this site. As Matt mentions above Carolina is a unique hockey market. I moved to the triangle 7 years ago from Upstate New York (Binghamton) and brought my love of hockey with me. We had AHL hockey which I attended regularly but I did not have an allegiance to an NHL team. For awhile the Sabres were shown on local tv so I followed them. Our AHL team changed affiliates from the rangers to the senators so I also followed those teams. When I moved here I had the opportunity to adopt the hurricanes as my team. The last 7 years have been tough to watch at times but my family and I rarely miss a game. Enough of the personal ramble, what drew me to comment on this post was something that happened last night with my 2 and 4 year old boys. They watch the games with me and I’ve taken them to a handful of games. They love hockey and have a street hockey net set on our third floor where they love to go play when it’s too cold to be outside. Last night I hear them shouting and screaming GOAL over and over and then they start doing the skol clap, complete with sound effects and clapping. Then when they finish they shout Canes win!!!!! It was a priceless moment and something that shows/proves what the storm surge is intended to be. A way to connect with the fans. I personally love it and can’t wait to see what they come up with next. My boys love it and I’m sure it will help develop their love of the canes and the game further. I’m sure at some point they will run out of ideas and the storm surge will morph into something else, but let’s enjoy it for now!
Welcome (as a commenter) el_huracan, and thank you for sharing your story.
There is a youth angle to it, but I think the bigger theme is for people not to get so wrapped up in their opinion of what is fun and right. I might find fun analyzing line combinations, statistics and other minutiae which is perfectly fine. Others might latch onto and really pull for a favorite player or hero. Others could care less about details and just want to spend a fun Friday night rooting on the local sports team with friends and/or family.
Point being, there is no one right way to be a fan of the Hurricanes or to enjoy the team, but I think ‘simply fun’ is contagious and reaches so many.
I am indifferent. If the team wants to perform the skol clap and entertain in this fashion then so be it. The fan base certainly has endured a decade of tough times and so revving up the base while capturing new fans is important. The league, media and other teams need to accept this and not be hypocritical (e.g. don’t recall any criticism over Vegas pre-game theatrics, Florida rats, etc.).
On the other hand, hockey has it’s traditional roots in a traditional league. Since we are part of the league we need to accept that and any criticism if we divert off tradition. Media outlets, team employees and the rest who fire back at such criticism only look childish (hence the vicious cycle between Carolina and traditional markets).
I see both sides of the argument having growing up in the northeast. As a kid you are playing and watching for love of the game, taught to have fun and show sportsmanship. What happens during the game should be what draws fans in most, and that’s the angle Canadian media chooses to harp on. They feel the side stuff is just that and shouldn’t be #1 reason a kid or anyone wants to see a game, because The skol clap will one day fade, and so to the post game celly’s. That said, Canadian media shouldn’t choose to comment on post game celly’s and omit where we are in the standings (or how well the youth programs are doing). Otherwise that’s bias fake media for you.
The way to defuse criticism in the future is for the team to keep building a winning program both in Raleigh and at the youth level statewide.
The post-game celebration happens after the game, the fans who don’t like it can turn the game cast off/leave the arena if they want to avoid it.
The other thing to be mindful of for the team is not to get distracted or focused on game winning celebration over the actual game plan.
Whether people like it or not, this can only be a side show, not a distraction.
Welcome to “el_hurican” !! I’m also from Binghamton (Vestal and Bainbridge)! My first hockey was the Broome Dusters (of Slap Shot era). I had season tickets there, and when the Canes came here to NC I got them from day one in G’boro!
I don’t have tickets now (retired) but I’m still a fan! and occasional commentor. This team is going well now, and it’s looking promising, eh?
I’m actually from Vestal, small world huh. Looking forward to posting more often and getting to know you all!
First, I would like to say that this is my first post after reading C&C daily for a couple of years now, cup of coffee firmly in hand. Matt, your articles are always well written, insightful, and very enjoyable to read. Everyone else – the comments section is also a blast to read, full of emotion that soars and sags with the team, but is always infused with the passion we all hold for the Canes. Keep up the good work, folks!
I rarely ever miss a Canes game on TV and every now and then I am fortunate enough to see one in person. I love it when they win, but I don’t sulk when they lose — I just love watching hockey.
That being said, I wanted to comment on my limited experience with the organization as a whole: My son has a severe disability and my wife works for a non-profit that helps provide services to disabled people throughout the Triangle. A few times each season, one of us is able to take our son to a game courtesy of tickets that are donated to my wife’s work, either by the Hurricanes organization or by the players themselves (Cam was stellar in this regard). Our son is blind and I’m pretty sure he’s oblivious to the game down on the ice, but he explodes with joy and laughter when the music blares and the fans are cheering at the top of their lungs. And his joy is infectious to fans all around us – people stop what they are doing, smile, and exclaim “My goodness – look how excited that kid is!!”. Win or lose, that is hands down the most fun part of every game we attend.
Additionally, my wife’s company holds several charity fundraisers throughout the year. Invariably, the hottest auction items are the tickets, signed hockey sticks, and player memorabilia that are generously donated by the Hurricanes organization – every single time.
This may not speak directly to the “bunch of jerks” conversation, but I think it’s worth remembering the value this team brings to the community when we are having discussions like this — especially when speaking with those who have a problem with the fun postgame celebrations. That’s hockey, baby!!
overthehill…Thank you for sharing your story and welcome aboard! Great day at Canes and Coffee welcoming two new members to the Coffee Shop!
Welcome el_huracsn and overthehill. OTH I was touched by your son’s story, it is always good to hear about the great things that the players do in the community!
All the backlash is from old-school Canadian traditionalists. I think it is laughable. Hockey is not a religion – fly-fishing is (kudos to whoever recognizes that reference) but not hockey. Vegas does a big show every game – that’s Vegas, baby. We have our surge. Other teams are going to recognize it – and teams’ fans are going to wonder what their team is doing that is special.
That said, I do wonder if we will continue the Surge if we make the playoffs. In the playoffs you don’t win, until you win it all, or maybe every round.
This is the “Year of the Surge” – we really don’t need to do anything else, but make the playoffs, to make this year one of a kind.
What I find so hypocritical is the Vegas pre-game drama is okay (and I was there, it is fun), octopi and catfish on the ice are okay, but the surge is not, REALLY?? The surge is fun and it does not disrespect the other team, they are off the ice. Cherry’s opinion means squat to me. I know somebody mentioned his outrageous attire when he made the statement. He deserves no attention. I find it laughable as well.
Who appointed him the grand poohbah of what is acceptable within hockey.
The thing is, people are not leavening the games early any more, everybody is waiting to see what is next. It is fun. To the people who do not like it, change the channel, who needs you. I hope we make them madder and madder as we beat their teams.
If we make it to the Playoffs, I hope we do continue it.
Good luck on the hat trick TJ.
Welcome el_huracan and overthehill!
1.The backlash doesn’t bother me. Heck, the stick salute was new and exciting at one point.
2.Hopefully the whole winning thing.