RALEIGH, N.C. (NCN News) – Downtown Raleigh was a sea of red and black as the Carolina Hurricanes celebrated winning the Stanley Cup. A special parade that started on Fayetteville Street on Saturday morning attracted over 180,000 fans, according to Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce.
Players spoke while songs like “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “We Are the Champions” played over the speakers. The celebration included remarks from Governor Josh Stein and head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who said, “You gotta take pride in what you do and who you’re doing it with and how they do it, and these guys do it better than anyone. These are the world champs right in front of you here.”
Brind’Amour added, “We want to enjoy it. These guys are enjoying it right now. But I promise you, we’re going to try to do it again.”
Phil Pritchard, the Keeper of the Stanley Cup, said he and his crew have been working hard to keep the trophy in the best condition for the parade, adding that they clean it the morning after every outing.
The Hurricanes Stanley Cup championship is the second major professional sports championship in North Carolina history.