Carolina Hurricanes Set June 20 Stanley Cup Parade in Raleigh at 11 a.m.

Q: How did 37-year-old Jordan Staal defy age to become the oldest playoff MVP in hockey history?

Jordan Staal became the oldest playoff MVP in hockey history by pairing elite shutdown play and leadership with a timely scoring surge that Carolina rode to the Stanley Cup. At 37 years, 277 days old, the Hurricanes captain delivered the best postseason of his career. Long regarded as a defensive center, Staal broke out offensively in the Stanley Cup Final, leading all players with six goals. He scored in five straight Final games, matching an NHL record shared by Yvan Cournoyer and Maurice Richard. He finished the playoffs with 12 points in 19 games, including seven points in the Final alone. What made the run especially notable was that the offense came without sacrificing the role that has defined his career. Staal continued to take the toughest defensive assignments, anchored Carolina’s checking line, killed penalties and dominated faceoffs. He won 56.4% of his draws over the playoffs and 69% in the Final, giving Carolina control in key moments. His case was also strengthened by leadership and durability. Coach Rod Brind’Amour said Carolina would not have reached this point without him, and teammates pointed to his consistency and work ethic. Staal’s Conn Smythe came in his 20th NHL season and after 14 years with Carolina, where he endured lean years before helping lead the franchise back to the top. The result was a rare combination: a veteran captain still driving play defensively, suddenly finishing like a top scorer, and doing it on the sport’s biggest stage.

3 articles · Updated · WRAL News · Jun 15

June 20 at 11 a.m. is the start time for the Carolina Hurricanes' Stanley Cup championship parade in downtown Raleigh, Mayor Janet Cowell told WRAL News.
Hillsborough Street will host the celebration from Ashe Avenue to Salisbury Street, giving the team a central downtown route after Sunday night's title-clinching win.
Gov. Josh Stein, speaking from a Lenovo Center watch party after the victory, said the parade will include a celebration near the Governor's Mansion and called it a moment for the whole state.
The event will mark Raleigh's first Hurricanes Stanley Cup parade since 2006, when the franchise last won the championship.