The Carolina Hurricanes, also called the “Canes,” are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They compete in the NHL as part of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The franchise began as the New England Whalers in the World Hockey Association (WHA) before joining the NHL in 1979 after the WHA–NHL merger.
The team relocated from Hartford to Raleigh in 1997 and rebranded as the Hurricanes. Their most notable achievement is winning the Stanley Cup in the 2005–06 season. This victory is the first and only major professional sports championship for the state of North Carolina as of the 2022–23 season. Besides the Stanley Cup, the Hurricanes have won six Division Championships and two Conference Championships as of 2025.
Carolina Hurricanes NHL Playoff History and Appearances
The Carolina Hurricanes have played in Raleigh since 1998, completing 27 seasons there. The franchise, including its previous history before relocating, has a total of 45 seasons. Out of those, they have made the playoffs 20 times and won one championship. In the past ten seasons, from 2016 to 2025, the Hurricanes had a winning percentage of 55.4%, made the playoffs seven times, and won 10 playoff series, but did not win any championships during that period. Their only Stanley Cup championship came in 2006, as per Champs or Chumps.
A table exploring the Carolina Hurricanes’ playoff history and appearances is provided below:
| Year | Record | Result |
| 2025 | 47-30-5 | Won 4-1 vs the New Jersey Devils in the First Round |
| 2024 | 52-23-7 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals (Won 1 Round) |
| 2023 | 52-21-9 | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2022 | 54-20-8 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 2021 | 36-12-8 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 2020 | 38-25-5 | Lost First Round |
| 2019 | 46-29-7 | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2018 | 36-35-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2017 | 36-31-15 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2016 | 35-31-16 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2015 | 30-41-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2014 | 36-35-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2013 | 19-25-4 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2012 | 33-33-16 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2011 | 40-31-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2010 | 35-37-10 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2009 | 45-30-7 | Lost Conference Finals |
| 2008 | 43-33-6 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2007 | 40-34-8 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2006 | 52-22-8 | Stanley Cup Winners |
| 2005 | - | NHL Lockout |
| 2004 | 28-34-14-6 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2003 | 22-43-11-6 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2002 | 35-26-16-5 | Lost Stanley Cup Final |
| 2001 | 38-32-9-3 | Lost First Round |
| 2000 | 37-35-10 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1999 | 34-30-18 | Lost First Round |
| 1998 | 33-41-8 | Missed Playoffs |
| As the Hartford Whalers | ||
| 1997 | 32-39-11 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1996 | 34-39-9 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1995 | 19-24-5 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1994 | 27-48-9 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1993 | 26-52-6 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1992 | 26-41-13 | Lost First Round |
| 1991 | 31-38-11 | Lost First Round |
| 1990 | 38-33-9 | Lost First Round |
| 1989 | 37-38-5 | Lost First Round |
| 1988 | 35-38-7 | Lost First Round |
| 1987 | 43-30-7 | Lost First Round |
| 1986 | 40-36-4 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 1985 | 30-41-9 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1984 | 28-42-10 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1983 | 19-54-7 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1982 | 21-41-18 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1981 | 21-41-18 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1980 | 27-34-19 | Lost First Round |
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Carolina Hurricanes Conference History
From 1998 to 2025, the Carolina Hurricanes have consistently played in the Eastern Conference except for the 2020-21 season, when no conference was designated. They reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, winning the championship in 2005-06 and losing in 2002-03. They missed the playoffs from 2009-10 through 2013-14 but have been regular playoff contenders since. They made it to the Conference Finals in 2018-19 and 2022-23. In the 2024-25 NHL season, they won their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils.
A table exploring the Carolina Hurricanes' Conference History, along with their results, is provided below (via Champs or Chumps):
| Team | Conference | Result |
| 2024-2025 | Eastern | Won 4-1 vs the New Jersey Devils in the First Round |
| 2023-2024 | Eastern | Lost Conference Semi-Finals (Won 1 Round) |
| 2022–23 | Eastern | Won in First Round, 4–2 Won in Second Round, 4–1 Lost in Conference Finals, 0–4 |
| 2021–22 | Eastern | Won in First Round, 4–3 Lost in Second Round, 3–4 |
| 2020–21 | — | Won in First Round, 4–2 Lost in Second Round, 1–4 |
| 2019–20 | Eastern | Won in Qualifying Round, 3–0 Lost in First Round, 1–4 |
| 2018–19 | Eastern | Won in First Round, 4–3 Won in Second Round, 4–0 Lost in Conference Finals, 0–4 |
| 2017–18 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2016–17 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2015–16 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2014–15 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2013–14 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2012–13 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2011–12 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2010–11 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2009–10 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2008–09 | Eastern | Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–3 Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–3 Lost in Conference Finals, 0–4 |
| 2007–08 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2006–07 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2005–06 | Eastern | Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–1 Won in Conference Finals, 4–3 Won in Stanley Cup Finals, 4–3 |
| 2004–05 | - | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout |
| 2003–04 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 2002–03 | Eastern | Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4–2 Won in Conference Semifinals, 4–2 Won in Conference Finals, 4–2 Lost in Stanley Cup Finals, 1–4 |
| 2001–02 | Eastern | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 |
| 2000–01 | Eastern | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 |
| 1999–2000 | Eastern | Did not qualify |
| 1998–99 | Eastern | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 |
Carolina Hurricanes Division History
The Carolina Hurricanes began in the Northeast Division in 1997-98, finishing sixth. From 1998-99 to 2012-13, they played in the Southeast Division, winning first place in 1998-99, 2001-02, and 2005-06. Since 2013-14, they have been in the Metropolitan Division, finishing first in 2021-22 and 2022-23. In the 2020-21 season, they played in the Central Division and finished first. In 2023-24 and 2024-25, they finished second in the Metropolitan Division.
A table exploring the Carolina Hurricanes' division history, along with their regular season records, is provided below:
| Team | Conference | Division | Regular season |
| 2024–25 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 2nd |
| 2023–24 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 2nd |
| 2022–23 | Eastern | Metropolitan↑ | 1st |
| 2021–22 | Eastern | Metropolitan↑ | 1st |
| 2020–21 | — | Central↑ | 1st |
| 2019–20 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 4th |
| 2018–19 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 4th |
| 2017–18 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 6th |
| 2016–17 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 7th |
| 2015–16 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 6th |
| 2014–15 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 8th |
| 2013–14 | Eastern | Metropolitan | 7th |
| 2012–13 | Eastern | Southeast | 3rd |
| 2011–12 | Eastern | Southeast | 5th |
| 2010–11 | Eastern | Southeast | 3rd |
| 2009–10 | Eastern | Southeast | 3rd |
| 2008–09 | Eastern | Southeast | 2nd |
| 2007–08 | Eastern | Southeast | 2nd |
| 2006–07 | Eastern | Southeast | 3rd |
| 2005–06 | Eastern‡ | Southeast↑ | 1st |
| 2004–05 | Eastern | Southeast | Season cancelled due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout |
| 2003–04 | Eastern | Southeast | 3rd |
| 2002–03 | Eastern | Southeast | 5th |
| 2001–02 | Eastern‡ | Southeast↑ | 1st |
| 2000–01 | Eastern | Southeast | 2nd |
| 1999–2000 | Eastern | Southeast | 3rd |
| 1998–99 | Eastern | Southeast↑ | 1st |
| 1997–98 | Eastern | Northeast | 6th |
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FAQs on Carolina Hurricanes
A. The Carolina Hurricanes have made 11 playoff appearances in their NHL history.
A. The Carolina Hurricanes won their first and only Stanley Cup during the 2005-06 season.
A. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers in 2006 to secure their first Stanley Cup.
A. The Carolina Hurricanes changed their name to the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997 after relocating from Hartford, Connecticut, to North Carolina.
A. Jordan Staal has been the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes since 2019.
