Canes transform from low attendance to playoff success

Every seat was full at Lenovo Center on May 5, 2023, as the Carolina Hurricanes faced the Philadelphia Flyers in the second game of the second round of the NHL playoffs. The Hurricanes celebrated their sixth straight postseason win, defeating the Flyers in overtime.

This success comes after a decade-long playoff drought that cast doubt on the franchise's future in Raleigh. The team's owner, Tom Dundon, took over in 2018, committing to building a competitive team. The franchise has transformed significantly, with attendance and fan engagement skyrocketing.

In the years leading to this resurgence, the Hurricanes went from an average of over 17,000 fans per game in 2013 to just 11,776 by 2017, ranking last in the NHL. However, under Dundon's leadership, the payroll increased from the bottom to first in the league by 2020, and the team ended its playoff drought under coach Rod Brind'Amour's guidance.

The Hurricanes are now one of only three teams in history to win at least one playoff round in eight straight seasons. As of now, they have won all eight playoff games this year and are eight wins away from their second Stanley Cup.

The franchise has also engaged in community development, with renovations to the Lenovo Center underway and plans to develop the surrounding area into a $1 billion urban center. New corporate sponsorships and merchandise sales have surged, reflecting the renewed interest and commitment to hockey in the Triangle.

According to The Assembly NC, this impressive turnaround story illustrates the Carolina Hurricanes' evolution from a struggling franchise to a playoff contender, backed by strong leadership and a revitalized fan base.