Why is the Carolina Hurricanes mascot a pig? Meet Stormy the Ice Hog
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The hog mascot was introduced shortly after the team moved, in Sept. 1997.
- North Carolina’s hog industry and financier Wendell Murphy influenced the mascot choice.
- The mascot debuted Sept. 23, 1997; a naming contest began Sept. 24; name announced Oct.
Many have likely wondered why the Carolina Hurricanes’ mascot is a hog and not… a rain drop? Strong wind? An anthropomorphic hurricane symbol?
With the team entering the Stanley Cup Final, and Stormy undoubtedly prepared to hype up fans, the answer is worth revisiting before Caniacs watch the team face the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, June 2.
Why is Stormy the Ice Hog a hog?
When the franchise moved to North Carolina from Connecticut, then-owner Peter Karmanos “considered re-naming the hockey team from Whalers to Ice Hogs,” according to an N&O article published the day after the hog mascot was introduced, Sept. 24, 1997.
North Carolina also has a robust hogging industry, which played into the decision to make a hog the mascot. At the time, The N&O reported, North Carolina was “home to 9.8 million hogs, compared to 7.3 million people.” As of 2024, there were 8.2 million hogs and pigs in North Carolina, according to the USDA.
Stormy still fits right in.
Pork mogul and state legislator Wendell Murphy was also called “a friend to the Hurricanes” by general manager Jim Rutherford in the 1997 article. Murphy helped finance the Canes’ eventual home arena in Raleigh. Rutherford is quoted as saying Murphy helped the franchise “realize how important the hog industry is to this state and to us being here.”
Before the ice hog was announced, the Canes placed an ad in The N&O reading, “If our newest member were any hotter, he’d be barbecue.” (Stormy has yet to be barbequed, though the same probably cannot be said for some of the nearly 10 million hogs in North Carolina at the time of his introduction.)
Stormy introduction
When the hog mascot (not yet named Stormy) was introduced to the crowd on Sept. 23, the goal was to show the mascot aboard a Zamboni. Unfortunately, the person inside the mascot costume had “an anxiety attack that led to a seizure,” according to an N&O article the next day. Thankfully, The N&O reported that the person was released from the hospital, headlining the article “Hurricanes Ice Hog OK after debut swoon.”
Why is Stormy named Stormy?
Following the debut swoon, the hog needed a name. The team kicked off a naming contest on Sept. 24 after introducing the mascot.
The hog’s name was formally announced at the team’s Oct. 22, 1997, game. A fitting night, as on Oct. 24, The N&O reported the team “may have begun making a name for themselves as an exciting professional hockey club,” at the game.
The name, an obvious choice for a team called the Hurricanes, was considered a good match. The N&O reported, “it has indeed been a stormy first season in North Carolina for the former Hartford Whalers.”
Where can I meet Stormy?
According to the Hurricanes, Stormy calls himself the “Mayor of Tailgates, Chaos, and General Hogwash.” If the mascot sounds like a good time to you, you can spot him at games, schools, hospitals, charities, youth hockey programs and local events.
Keep up with N&O coverage at newsobserver.com/sports/nhl or check out more Caniac history in The N&O’s archive.
How to watch the Stanley Cup
Games will be shown live on ABC and online at ABC.com, though you will need to share your TV provider and login. You can also stream on ESPN+.
Games 1-4 will be Tuesday, June 2; Thursday, June 4; Saturday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 9. Games 5-7, if necessary, will be Thursday, June 11; Sunday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 17.
All games are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. EST.
