Former Hurricanes Player says Stanley Cup win could inspire growth of hockey in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — As fans across North Carolina celebrate the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup championship, one former Hurricanes player believes the victory could have a lasting impact on the future of hockey in the Cape Fear region.

A championship celebration is scheduled for downtown Raleigh, but the excitement is also being felt in Wilmington, where former Hurricanes defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti says the team’s success could inspire more young people to get involved in the sport.

“To lift the Stanley Cup is a huge honor,” Sanguinetti said.

Sanguinetti, a Wilmington resident, played alongside Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal and under current Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour when Brind’Amour served as an assistant coach.

“They’ve been really good for a long time, but to finally get over that hump was really cool to see,” Sanguinetti said.

He believes the championship will generate new interest in hockey among local children and families.

“Now you have this group of kids coming up that are going to want to play hockey,” he said.

Members of the Junior Seahawks youth hockey program gathered to watch the Hurricanes’ championship-clinching game, with young players saying the team’s success motivates them to improve their own skills.

“It inspires me to be a better player,” one young athlete said.

Sanguinetti said growing the game locally will require more opportunities for youth players, including access to facilities.

One proposal aimed at addressing that need is the Wilmington Arena Project, an effort to build a multi-purpose arena that could seat between 5,000 and 10,000 people.

“It’s about providing opportunities for kids to play hockey, and you have to have a facility that can allow that,” Sanguinetti said.

Sanguinetti serves on the project’s board and believes a new arena could eventually attract a minor league hockey franchise to the area. Now an assistant coach with the Charlotte Checkers, he said Wilmington has the potential to support professional hockey.

“I don’t see any reason why Wilmington couldn’t get behind a team like that,” he said.

Supporters of the arena project say a new venue would not only expand opportunities for local hockey players but could also bring additional sports and entertainment events to the Cape Fear region.