Nicolas Deslauriers Celebrates Day with Stanley Cup in North Wildwood

In the world of hockey, some players are pivotal in reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs, while others play crucial roles in navigating through them. Then there are those who, despite limited ice time, bring invaluable depth and experience to a team. Nicolas Deslauriers, a former Montreal Canadiens winger, exemplifies this as he contributes to the Carolina Hurricanes. Acquired on trade deadline day, the 35-year-old La Salle native was brought in to bolster the Hurricanes’ lineup as they aimed for the championship.

Despite playing just 24 games with the Philadelphia Flyers during the regular season, Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky recognized Deslauriers’ potential and swiftly made a deal, sending a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2027 draft to the Flyers. Tulsky noted the importance of adding a gritty forward like Deslauriers to the roster, understanding that his physical play could be a game-changer for the Canes.

In his time with the Hurricanes, Deslauriers participated in only seven regular-season games, where he managed to record an assist and accumulated five penalty minutes. His aggressive style was on full display in his first game with the Canes, where he engaged in a fight against Mathieu Olivier, attempting to energize his teammates as they faced a 2-0 deficit against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the playoffs, he saw action in one game during the first round against the Ottawa Senators, where he took a double minor for roughing after a confrontation with captain Brady Tkachuk.

Although Deslauriers fell short of the requirements to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup—having played at least 41 regular-season games with the champions or one game in the finals—the Hurricanes made the decision to petition the league for his inclusion on the Cup. Tulsky shared the news with Deslauriers, highlighting the leadership role he assumed within the team. In recognition of his contributions, the Hurricanes even signed him to a new two-year contract during their championship celebration.

On Friday, Deslauriers took the opportunity to spend his day with the Stanley Cup in North Wildwood, a favorite vacation spot for him and his family, where they had purchased a home on June 30. The event drew significant attention, with over 1,100 fans gathering at the Seaport Pier to take pictures and celebrate alongside the Cup.

Deslauriers previously played two seasons with the Canadiens from 2017-2019, where he recorded 12 goals and 19 points in 106 games. His tenure in Montreal was not without challenges, as he faced a facial fracture during a preseason fight that limited his appearances and ultimately led to his trade to the Anaheim Ducks. Yet, his journey has taken a positive turn with the Hurricanes, where his contributions have been recognized not just in terms of play, but as a vital component of team chemistry.

Selected in the third round of the 2009 draft by the Los Angeles Kings, Deslauriers has skated in 708 NHL games, accumulating 106 points and a staggering 799 penalty minutes. The Hurricanes’ commitment to recognizing his efforts by pursuing his name on the Cup and signing him to a new contract underscores the value of players like Deslauriers in the league today. As the Hurricanes celebrate their victory, one can’t help but wonder how the Canadiens view this development, especially with their own tough guy, Arber Xhekaj, still awaiting a new contract.

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