Controversy Surrounds Stanley Cup Engravings for Hurricanes Owner Tom Dundon

The engraving of names on the Stanley Cup has sparked renewed discussion this summer, particularly due to the inclusion of six names linked to Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. Notably, Dundon’s wife and five children appear alongside him, preceding the names of team executives, coaches, and players.

This practice of honoring family members on hockey’s most prestigious trophy is not new and has occasionally stirred controversy. For instance, Penny Vinik, the then-wife of Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik, was included in the 2021 engravings, but her name was absent in 2020 amid the couple’s divorce proceedings before they reconciled.

Similarly, Teresa Viola and her three children, John, Michael, and Travis, have been engraved on the Cup twice, reflecting the Florida Panthers’ back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. In contrast, the Hurricanes’ player Joel Nystrom, who participated in 38 regular-season games, was not among the 53 names engraved this year, nor were other off-ice support staff.

To qualify for inclusion, a player must take part in at least 41 regular-season games—or dress for one in the playoffs—criteria that ensured all three Hurricanes goaltenders, Brandon Bussi, Frederik Andersen, and Pyotr Kochetkov, made the cut. Additionally, teams can petition for exemptions, which is how Nicolas Deslauriers, who played in eight games after his trade, secured his name on the Cup.

The Hockey Hall of Fame clarified that it does not oversee the engraving process, focusing instead on the Cup’s preservation. The Hurricanes organization has chosen not to comment on the situation through a spokesperson.

Engraving controversies have a history in the NHL. In 1984, during the Edmonton Oilers’ first of five championships in seven years, owner Peter Pocklington faced backlash for including his father’s name, Basil, which was later removed due to his lack of involvement in the victory. In a more recent incident, Brad Aldrich, a former video coach for the Chicago Blackhawks, had his name covered after allegations of sexual assault against player Kyle Beach emerged, leading to significant fallout within the organization.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.