Ain't No Party Like A Season Ticket Holder Party

Tonight was the Carolina Hurricanes annual Season Ticket Holder party. There was a decent turnout from the fans, I'd estimate a couple thousand people in total. Many of the fans were there to get autographs from the players, Jeff Skinner, Eric Staal, and Cam Ward in particular. In keeping with the Hurricanes family friendly reputation, there were events for the kids, including inflatables and a slap shot station on the ice. There were picture opportunities on the team bench, penalty box, and Zamboni, err, Olympia ice resurfacer.

Being a veteran of the season ticket holder party, I have a set routine (those who know me know I have many set routines, after all, a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds). I digress; I always tour press row (mainly to see the mural from the 2006 Stanley Cup celebration and find myself in the picture). I always tour the locker room, and I always listen to the State of the Canes address.

There is a standard format to the address. One of the Hurricanes broadcast personnel (this year it was radio broadcast legend Chuck Kaiton) has a conversation with Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice. Each year it begins with how the Hurricanes are struggling/battling/injured but still fighting hard and expecting good things to happen. You know they won't present a negative, if realistic, scenario to the team's most diehard fans.

After sitting through the last 3 years of Q&A sessions with Maurice, I've come to a conclusion... I like Paul Maurice and really want him to succeed. He really comes off as personable, self-effacing, and engaging. Maurice told some funny stories about his junior hockey career (including the time he thought he'd have to fight Brendan Shanahan), he was fairly honest about the team's struggles in the game against Ottawa. Maurice kept talking and taking fans' questions well past the allotted time. It went on so long that the arena personnel started the in-arena music in hopes of wrapping up the Q&A.

All things considered, while I have had, and continue to ave some reservations about Maurice's line combinations, offensive style, and other technical parts of his strategy, I find myself hoping more that he can find the success his playoff runs in 2002 or 2009 before the natives get too restless and we find ourselves in another coaching death spiral. The team has 9 points in 9 games, so all is not lost, but if the Canes don't make the playoffs this year, then that may mean that Mo Must Go.... again.

Until next time, drive the net and keep your stick on the ice...