You know Evel Knievel. Meet this group of Hurricanes superfans: ‘The CaneEvels’
A $130 Evel Knievel costume might seem like a ridiculous item to purchase. A dozen Evel Knievel costumes? Absurd.
But that’s what one group of Carolina Hurricanes season ticket-holders did when they took a trip to Las Vegas in March 2024. The outfits were on par for Vegas eccentricities — Evel Knievel was an American stunt performer from the ’70s who always sported a red, white and blue jumpsuit with a large collar and a low V neckline. But once the trip was over, the friends didn’t think they’d ever wear the suits again.
Boy, were they wrong.
For the last two hockey seasons, the group of give-or-take a dozen Canes superfans have worn their Evel Knievel outfits for every playoff game.
They call themselves “The CaneEvels,” a name made official by the inscription on their custom red capes they all sport on top of the jumpsuits. Their bold outfits and lively tailgates have brought together a community of all ages who share a love for the Carolina Hurricanes.
The CaneEvels, who chronicle their adventures on Instagram @thecaneevels, are mostly in their 50s. The friends met through being season ticket-holders for the Canes.
And their home game day tailgates are spectacles.
For Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on June 4, their flags flew higher than any others in the parking lot. A siren sat at the center and was frequently sounded. They had a bar, a karaoke setup and even a Golden Tee Golf arcade game.
They had their own Stanley Cup prop constructed from over 100 silver Coors Light beer cans named “The Stanley Bullet,” which naturally has its own TikTok account at @the_stanley_bullet.
The hoopla takes place nearly every home game day, but playoff season has amplified the festivities. And the scores of Canes fans who flock to the gatherings are greeted with camaraderie.
Luke Andrews, a self-proclaimed Caniac and fan of the CaneEvels, said the group is well known throughout Caniac nation.
“They’re an inspiration to the fan base. I think they set the high bar,” said Andrews, 38, who met the group at their tailgates.
‘Gold standard’ of fun
The Carolina Hurricanes franchise has a strong tailgating culture, which Andrews said is unique for the NHL. And for him, the CaneEvels exemplify this culture.
“These guys are the gold standard of make your own fun,” he said.
One CanEvel, Matt Carden, 53, makes music for the group — with some help from artificial intelligence. He writes the lyrics himself, then uses AI to produce the songs in various genres.
He produced the CaneEvels’ theme song, with a chorus that rings, “We are the storm they can’t contain. CaneEvels, call our name.”
Their high energy sustains them through hot days of tailgating outside Lenovo Center. At Game 2, the parking lot scorched as temperatures climbed into the high 80s. But the gang doesn’t let the heat cramp their style; they kept their long-sleeve, polyester jumpsuits on all day long.
CaneEvel Nile Roberts said you have to be bold to wear such eccentric outfits, but putting them on can bring out a confidence you didn’t know you had.
“It is like a superhero suit,” Roberts, 52, said.
Caping up for the Canes
Roberts is the group’s master cape maker. While the Evel Knievel suits are finite, Roberts said they happily give away their signature capes to friends and fans of the CaneEvels.
The capes will even be featured on a challenge between Wake County Manager David Ellis and Clark County, Nevada: home to the Vegas Golden Knights. If the Hurricanes win the cup, a Clark County leader will have to wear a CaneEvels cape to a board meeting.
“Wake County is Canes County,” Ellis said in the challenge video posted to Wake County Government’s social media platforms. Ellis was even made an honorary member of the CaneEvels.
Some of the CaneEvels traveled to Vegas to watch Games 3 and 4 — back to where the Evel Knievel outfits began. But they hope the Canes will win the cup back in Raleigh, where many of them attended Game 7 of the Canes’ Stanley Cup win back in 2006.
CaneEvel James McMillan, who is now 56, was one of them.
“That was magical,” he said, remembering the 2006 win.
McMillan has various patches on the sleeves of his Evel Knievel jumpsuit, but his left arm is reserved for Stanley Cups. He has one from the 2002 Stanley Cup run, and one from the 2006 Stanley Cup win. There’s an empty spot at the bottom.
“I need a new patch down here,” he said.
We’ll see if that 2026 patch will represent just another run, or a victory 20 years in the making.
