Hurricanes Pregame Presser: Martinook & Brind’Amour’s Thoughts Ahead of Stanley Cup Final Game 1

A few days after winning the Prince of Wales Trophy, it’s a Stanley Cup Final gameday for the first time in 20 years in Raleigh. The Carolina Hurricanes are seeking to secure their second Stanley Cup in franchise history. For this team, it’s about not looking too far ahead. It’s about taking it one game, one shift at a time. Following the morning skate, The Hockey Writers was able to ask some questions ahead of Game 1.

Jordan Martinook

For Jordan Martinook, it’s been a long journey for the veteran who’s been in Raleigh since the 2018-19 season. He never knew the dark times of missing the playoffs. He’s been here as long as Rod Brind’Amour has been the head coach. He’s seen eight straight Stanley Cup Playoffs, multiple trips to the Eastern Conference Final, and, for the first time, he’s taking a shot to win Lord Stanley.

Ahead of the biggest game for most of the team, what are the feelings like? Are there butterflies? Maybe it’s surreal to be here, or is it just business as usual? Here is what Martinook said about taking a step back and being ready for what’s to come.

“I think you’ve got to take a step back and relish the journey it took to get here. It’s been a long time; we put a lot into this. Now that we’re here, you just want to give it your everything. You don’t want this opportunity to go to waste. I’ve seen Jarvy [Seth Jarvis] talk about playing for the Stanley Cup 2,000 times in his life. I think every kid who’s played road hockey or pond hockey up north, when you win, that’s what you’re winning. Us as a team, it’s an opportunity to do that; we’re going to do everything we can.”

The Hurricanes have an opportunity to bring home another Stanley Cup in a poetic sense for the 20th Anniversary season of them winning it all in 2006. It’s been a journey for a lot of these guys on the roster, from Jaccob Slavin, Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal, and a few others who were here before the turnaround.

Now the Hurricanes are four wins away from the pinnacle of the hockey world. However, they cannot look beyond Game 1, and knowing how this team has been in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, they’re beyond focused on taking it one game at a time. To be able to do that and compartmentalize these moments, it starts from the top with their head coach, who has been here before and done it.

Rod Brind’Amour

Brind’Amour is no stranger to being here at the Stanley Cup Final. He won it as the captain in 2006, and now, 20 years later, he is back leading his 2026 team for their chance to win it all. Back in December, the Hurricanes were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2006 team. Following their win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Brind’Amour told his group “that his guys were up there,” in a suite being celebrated. He said he wants that same feeling for his team right now.

Six months later, they have the chance to accomplish just that. When asked about that moment in December and where they are now in the Stanley Cup Final for the chance to bring Lord Stanley home once again, he said: “It’s a long way to go here yet, but you do want it for those guys. When you win a Stanley Cup, you’re brothers for life. It takes on a whole new meaning. That’s definitely what we’re here for. I’d love to get it for these guys.”

There is a sense around the team of excitement, surrealism, and the focus to be ready for puck drop to start Game 1 of the biggest series for this franchise since 2006. The Hurricanes are 12-1 to enter the Stanley Cup Final, but all of that goes out the window once Game 1 begins. It’s now a race to win four more to hoist the best trophy in all of sports. Regarding the Hurricanes, they’re ready to begin that last sprint and win what they’ve been dreaming of their whole lives.