Backlash Against Carolina Hurricanes Owner for Stanley Cup Inscription
Tom Dundon, owner of the Carolina Hurricanes, is under fire for engraving his wife and children’s names on the Stanley Cup, as hockey fans have labeled the decision “disrespectful and shameful.”
In a newly engraved section of the Cup under “Carolina Hurricanes 2025-2026,” Dundon’s name appears alongside his wife Vershka and their five children: Kayden, Dax, Drew, Blake, and Teigan.
“Forever etched in history,” the Hurricanes shared on X, including a photo of the trophy.
Winners of the Stanley Cup are allowed to engrave up to 55 names on the trophy, and Dundon’s family occupies the first seven slots, using up 90 characters in total.
Following the Dundons are CEO Brian Faulk and general manager Eric Tarski, with head coach Rod Brind’Amour and his staff making up the next six engravings.
The players, led by Conn Smythe winner and team captain Jordan Staal, filled in the final 24 names.
Players who participate in at least half of the regular season games or appear in the finals are guaranteed a spot on the Cup.
Joel Nystrom, who played 38 regular-season games with the Hurricanes and spent the remainder with their AHL team, is not included, nor is equipment manager Bobby Gorman, a long-time member of the organization.
Brind’Amour, Staal, and forward William Carrier are the only players who have had their names on the Cup in previous years.
While many fans and players praised the recent engraving, others criticized Dundon’s apparent prioritization of family over the players and staff who contributed to the championship.
“Tom Dundon sending his entire family to the Cup rather than the players and staff who actually worked to win it is one of the most selfish things I’ve ever seen. It’s so disrespectful,” one user wrote on X.
Another commenter expressed frustration with the inclusion of “useless kids” who, in their view, had no role in the team’s success.
Dundon, worth $2.3 billion according to Forbes, purchased a majority stake in the team for $420 million and achieved full ownership in 2021 by buying out minority shareholders.
Earlier this year, he sold 12.5% of his shares to a group of investors, bringing the team’s valuation to $2.66 billion.
This move appears to mimic Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola, who inscribed his relatives’ names on the Cup after two consecutive championships in 2024 and 2025. Interestingly, all four relatives are acting governors in the Panthers’ executive committee.
Historically, there have been questionable name placements on the Cup. For instance, in 1984, then-oiler’s owner Peter Pocklington’s addition of his father’s name was later dismissed as a clerical error, following intervention from the Hockey Hall of Fame. Additionally, the name of former Chicago Blackhawks video coordinator Brad Aldrich was later suppressed due to serious allegations against him.
