Carolina Hurricanes' traditions: 'Storm Surge' postgame celebration, a 'Bunch of Jerks'

By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Carolina Hurricanes fans have unique traditions, including the post-win “Storm Surge” celebration and the embrace of the “bunch of jerks” label after a hockey broadcaster’s criticism.

These customs, along with pregame tailgating, contribute to the vibrant atmosphere surrounding the Hurricanes as they prepare for their seventh consecutive playoff appearance.

Here’s a look at their traditions:

‘Storm surge’ celebration after a win

The Carolina Hurricanes’ “Storm Surge” is a celebration postgame with the fans at the Lenovo Center.

After a win, the Hurricanes players gather at center ice, lining up around the center faceoff dot and start a Viking “Skol” chant, clapping their hands above their heads. In the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings have a similar “Skol” chant.

After the chant, the players all skate and jump into the boards.

Head coach Rod Brind’Amour brought the idea to Raleigh before the 2019-20 season. Rod Brind’Amour detailed the story in a podcast interview with “Spittin’ Chiclets.”

In the summer of 2019, Brind’Amour brought the idea to Justin Williams, who was the captain of the team at the time. Brind’Amour wanted to get the fans more involved and recalled an environment he experienced when he was playing in Kloten, Switzerland, during the 2004 NHL lockout.

“I said, ‘[Williams], we [have to] do something here for the people,” Brind’Amour said.

“The whole idea of it was that the cameras are off, the game is over,” Brind’Amour said in the interview. “No one thought, ‘OK, the cameras are going to keep rolling and make it a big deal.’ It only became a story halfway through the year, but it had been going on the whole time.”

In 2019, the Hurricanes used to have choreographed celebrations. It included the players playing games of “Duck, Duck, Goose,” and players acting like human bowling pins.

The “Storm Surge” tradition continued through the 2020-21 without fans in the stands due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and it has grown with the return of sellout crowds.

“The fans still stick around and you know, it’s for them,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s not for anyone else.”

‘A bunch of jerks’

The Canes on-ice postgame celebrations drew the ire of leading Canadian hockey commentator Don Cherry who called the team “a bunch of jerks.”

Instead of rebutting the claim, the team adopted the label, using it as a battle cry in future games.

The team has since sold “bunch of jerks” T-shirts and had the word “jerks” spelled out in fan seating at the Lenovo Center.

Cherry played for the Boston Bruins from 1954-1972. He coached the Bruins and Colorado Rockies from 1971-1980 before becoming a television commentator.

Yelling ‘Red!’ during the national anthem

During the national anthem at the Lenovo Center, Canes fans typically yell the word “red!” during the singing of the national anthem’s lyrics, “and the rockets’ red glare.”

The team’s colors are red, white, gray and black.

Some older Canes fans also change the words to the National Anthem by yelling, “and the twilight’s last Gleason.”

“Gleason” refers to former defenseman Tim Gleason, who is now an assistant coach for the Canes.

Gleason played for Carolina from 2006-2014 and again from 2014-15.

Tailgating outside the Lenovo Center

The Carolina Hurricanes allow fans to tailgate in the parking lot of the Lenovo Center three hours before puck drop.

Fans must clear their cars within one hour of the event’s end.