The Carolina Hurricanes were originally established in 1971 as the New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association (WHA). The team became a part of the NHL in 1979 following the NHL-WHA merger and was renamed the Hartford Whalers. Based in Hartford, Connecticut, the Whalers struggled to find consistent success on the ice and faced financial difficulties due to being in a smaller market. In 1997, the franchise relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, and became the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes initially played home games in Greensboro while their permanent arena in Raleigh was being completed. In 1999, they moved to what is now called PNC Arena. The team found its first major success in the early 2000s, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2002, though they lost to the Detroit Red Wings. However, their defining moment came in the 2005-06 season when they captured their first Stanley Cup by defeating the Edmonton Oilers in a dramatic seven-game series.

The Hurricanes are known for their passionate fan base, referred to as the "Caniacs," and have built a reputation as a resilient and exciting team. Over the years, they have experienced periods of both success and rebuilding but have consistently been a competitive force in the NHL. Their identity is deeply tied to the community in North Carolina, where hockey has flourished under their influence.