Hurricanes' Tom Dundon not first owner to add family to Stanley Cup
The engraving of names on the Stanley Cup has drawn particular attention this summer, specifically due to six names associated with the Carolina Hurricanes. Following the name of Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, his wife and five children have been included on the trophy. This practice of owners adding family members to the esteemed hockey trophy is not unprecedented, though it has occasionally led to controversy.
The Hurricanes were etched into NHL history for the second time this week, with the names of the 2025-26 Stanley Cup champions now inscribed. Tom Dundon‘s name leads the list, followed by CEO Brian Fork, General Manager Eric Tulsky, and Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour. Brind’Amour‘s name appears on the trophy for a second time with the team, having previously captained the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2006. Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal also sees his name on Lord Stanley’s Cup for a second time, having won it with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009.
Historical Context of Stanley Cup Engravings
The inclusion of family members by team owners on the Stanley Cup has occurred before. For instance, Penny Vinik, then-wife of Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik, was included on the trophy in 2021. However, she was not listed in 2020 during divorce proceedings, before the couple reconciled and later finalized their separation years afterward. Similarly, Vincent Viola‘s wife, Teresa, and their three children, John, Michael, and Travis, are all inscribed twice on the Cup, following the Florida Panthers‘ consecutive championships in 2024 and 2025.
The names of Tom Dundon, Veruschka Dundon, Caden Dundon, Dax Dundon, Drew Dundon, Blake Dundon, and Tagan Dundon occupy the first two lines of the engraving. Notably, player Joel Nystrom, who participated in 38 regular-season games for Carolina, was not among the 53 names added, nor were other off-ice support staff members.
Inclusion on the Stanley Cup is generally guaranteed for players who participate in 41 regular-season games, or dress in one game during the final series. This criterion explains the inclusion of all three Hurricanes goaltenders: Brandon Bussi, Frederik Andersen, and Pyotr Kochetkov. Teams also have the option to petition for exemptions, as was the case for Nicolas Deslauriers, an enforcer who played in eight games after being acquired before the trade deadline, including playoff appearances, and secured his name on the Cup this way.
Past Controversies and Removals
The Hockey Hall of Fame has stated that its role is limited to the care of the Stanley Cup, not its engraving. The Hurricanes, through a team spokesperson, declined to comment on the recent engravings. This is not the first time an engraving has generated discussion or controversy.
In 1984, during the Edmonton Oilers‘ first of five championships within a seven-year span, an engraving controversy arose. Owner Peter Pocklington had his father’s name, Basil Pocklington, added to the Cup. However, Basil Pocklington‘s name was later chiseled over with X’s because he had no direct involvement with the championship. Peter Pocklington attributed this to a clerical error.
Basil Pocklington is not the only name to have been removed or obscured from the trophy. Brad Aldrich, a video coach for the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 when they won the first of three championships in six years, had his name covered in 2021. This action followed revelations that he had sexually assaulted player Kyle Beach, an incident that led to an independent investigation and several resignations within the organization.
The tradition of engraving names on the Stanley Cup continues to evolve, with the 2025-26 Carolina Hurricanes‘ championship adding another chapter to its storied history.
Source: sportsnet.ca
