Burnside: Gary Bettman on the Canes' 25th Season In North Carolina

RALEIGH, NC. - Gary Bettman had been on the job as Commissioner of the National Hockey League for roughly four years when the Carolina Hurricanes made the move from Hartford to North Carolina.

The franchise relocation was part of a decade of tremendous transition for the NHL as the league expanded into Nashville, Atlanta, Minnesota, and Columbus. The Hurricanes were one of four teams to relocate during that period as the Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas, Quebec moved to Colorado and Winnipeg moved to Arizona.

The Hurricanes, though, represented a unique situation and certainly, their arc in the marketplace has also been unique and not without its ups and downs.

We had a chance to catch up with Commissioner Bettman recently to talk about the move, the ensuing 25 years, and a period of unprecedented growth and success for the franchise on and off the ice.

Scott Burnside: I have talked to lots of people about the move from Hartford and how that unfolded but I'm curious when you think of it, about that process, and it happened so quickly relatively speaking. When you think of the move of the Whalers to Carolina, Gary what comes to mind for you? What are some of the things that you think about when you reflect on what was a pretty tumultuous time?

Gary Bettman: Not as tumultuous as you'd think. I'm not sure what versions of the story you've heard but it became pretty cut and dried. Having said that, I know we had great fans in Hartford and I know the City of Hartford went through some difficult times. But at the end of the day, while it took a little time for the team to get established in North Carolina, what's going on there particularly now is fantastic. Tom Dundon, succeeding Pete Karmanos, has done a great job of moving the franchise to an all-time high level, whether it's fan interaction, whether it's the performance of the team on the ice, or the support that's now being injected in the business community. And it's great to see. The Hurricanes have terrific fans who have created their own traditions and culture and the team has become an even more important part of the community.

Burnside: I don't think there's any doubt of any of that. I think it's probably fair to say that there may be a fair portion of that fan base that may not understand the history of the team and the hard work that was put in all those years ago. And I wonder when you think back to those first two years in Greensboro and then the move into Raleigh, were there moments where you were concerned? When you think back to those early days in North Carolina what was that like for you as the Commissioner?

Bettman: Transition can be difficult. And particularly when people look at it as a snapshot as opposed to a full-length movie. I remember going to games in Greensboro. And that was challenging because it was a long distance to travel for a team that people, and for a sport that people weren't all that familiar with. But the market, I always believed. The Triangle has always in my view been a dynamic growing market that had no other professional teams. And the market from a sports rooting standpoint had always been fragmented among the colleges. The Hurricanes were the one thing that, from a sporting standpoint, could bring The Triangle together. And that's what happened, actually.

Burnside: I talked to Jim Rutherford not too long ago about how important the league was in helping to lay the foundation in Raleigh and that the business community from the get-go in the Raleigh area was really on board and was really important to help once they got into that building to make things work. I wonder when you think about those kinds of relationships, some of which still exist today, what was that like for you to see come together?

Bettman: Knowing the commitment of the Centennial Authority and the business community, again, this is a vibrant market. Always has been. It's been a growing market for all 25 years and it's a great sports market, but it was all collegiate. So this was for us a great opportunity. Part of it goes back to the old school thinking about franchises in - I hate the term - "non-traditional markets" - I never believed there was such a thing. There were warmer climates but everybody develops their own tradition and I believed that over time the hockey in The Triangle not only would work but it would thrive, and I think Tom Dundon has been the icing on that cake in terms of really making it a reality at unprecedented levels.

Burnside: I've spent a lot of time around that team and spent a lot of time around Tom and watching him operate. He marches to his own beat and I wonder what it's been like for you to watch what has happened under his ownership since early 2018 in terms of the presence and the profile of the team and all those kinds of things? What's your relationship like with Tom?

Bettman: Tom and I have a very good, strong relationship. We communicate regularly. Your characterization, and so I don't want it to be mine, your characterization that he marches to his own beat, even if that's the case, so what? I think that's great. Particularly in a growing community, particularly where millennials and Gen-Zs are becoming more significant portions of our fan base, it's great that he does his own thing and you see the results.

Burnside:What will it be like for you and what do you imagine it will be like for that fan base to host the upcoming outdoor game?

Bettman: I know Tom is excited and the organization's excited. We are thrilled. We think it's going to be an incredible event and so we're very much looking forward to it. But the Stadium Series game may be the punctuation on how far the club has gone. Because who would have imagined that there'd be between 55,000+ people outdoors at a hockey game in Carolina? And the fact that the game is sold out, the excitement is palpable, is an indication of how much a part of the community hockey and the Hurricanes are.

Burnside: I may have asked this but I want to ask this in a different way. Did you ever worry that this could be possible, especially during times when there was a decade where they didn't make the playoffs between '09 and '19 and there were some hard times in that marketplace?

Bettman: I think sometimes people, particularly in your line of work, there's confusion between how well a team performs on the ice and what that means long-term. Fans who are passionate about our game are passionate about our game. They want their team to be successful. But they maintain their passion during the lean years which makes the fruitful years feel even greater and create an even stronger connection to the club. You know no team likes to go a decade without making the playoffs. But when you get to the other side, look at how great it can be. And the fans stood by the team long-term and you see it based on what's happening now and you see it based on the response to the outdoor game.

Burnside: It strikes me that what you're talking about is what we've seen really since Tom took over as owner and Rod took over as head coach and they've made the playoffs every year. That this fan base is being rewarded I suppose.

Bettman: And what do they say, the view is much greater when you've seen the valley, right? At the top of the mountain, the view is greater than the view that you had in the valley. And you appreciate the difference. But talking about Tom doing things his way, bringing in Rod, the way that the storm surge, all of the things that they've done to even make the fan base feel more connected, is why the club is having the success that it's having.

Burnside: Do you think other clubs have looked at the journey for the Hurricanes and maybe specifically what's been happening since Tom took over, do you think there are lessons to be learned from what the Canes have gone through and how they've done business and their current successes?

Bettman: Every market is different, but to just take on one thing, the storm surge and the traditional reaction to it and the fact that the club and the players, in particular, maintained their commitment to it shows you that this is an organization and a group that believes in its authenticity. And they're doing their things their way. That's fundamentally what our sport's all about. It may be different in every place but we believe we are authentic; we are the real deal. And you see that in its pristine form in Carolina.

Burnside: Do you have a favorite Hurricanes moment as Commissioner?

Bettman: A little bit of history. I remember during the Stanley Cup Final in 2006 everybody stood for the entire game. Which, you traditionally see in college sports. That's when I knew that there was a real commitment and passion with this team.

Burnside: Did you stand or did you sit? You were in a suite I bet.

Bettman: No. I wasn't in a suite. I was in the stands and I stood because I wanted to see the game.

Worth A Click

Canes Surge Into Second Half With Strong Attendance Figures
Mailbag #53: Seth Jarvis
Svechnikov Wins Fastest Skater
Canes Stadium Series Jerseys Revealed
Purchase Stadium Series Jerseys
10th Annual Alumni Game To Take Place Outdoors
2022-23 Single Game Tickets
Canes 2022-23 Giveaway Schedule
February Schedule