Why do you so often speak on matters that you have no information on (as well as matches you've never seen)?
You see Signore Stugotzo, the deal to bring the Hartford Whalers to Raleigh was completed just a few days after Hurricane Fran destroyed much of the city. I, myself was without electricity for 10 days and lost 18 large trees from my yard. Yes, a few landed on the house. So, in those days, hockey wasn't really on the minds of the people of Raleigh. The hurricane was, so it was suggested as the team name and received strong support. Of course some people were so traumatized by Fran that they thought it horrible to honor the devastation by naming the team "Hurricanes", but . . . whatever.
P.S. Not planning any brokeback trips, but if you want to get together after World Cup that would be great.