Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is currently facing significant backlash after engraving the names of his wife and children on the venerable Stanley Cup. The decision has prompted strong reactions from hockey fans, who have widely condemned it as “disrespectful and shameful.” Mr Dundon’s name, along with that of his wife, Verushka, and their five children – Caden, Dax, Drew, Blake and Tagan – collectively occupy the first two lines of the newly engraved section on the famed trophy. This prominent placement is directly beneath the banner which reads “Carolina Hurricanes 2025-2026.”
The official Carolina Hurricanes account posted on X, declaring the names “Forever etched in history,” an announcement that was accompanied by a photograph of the trophy. However, the specific allocation of space on the coveted Stanley Cup has become a central point of contention. Stanley Cup champions are afforded space for a maximum of 55 names to be permanently etched onto the trophy, a tradition that signifies their achievement in the sport.
Dundon Family’s Engraving Draws Scrutiny
The decision to include the entire Dundon family has meant that the seven names – Tom Dundon, Verushka, Caden, Dax, Drew, Blake, and Tagan – take up the initial two lines of the available engraving space. This family grouping alone accounts for a substantial 90 characters. Following the names of the Dundon family, CEO Brian Fork and General Manager Eric Tulsky were next to be engraved onto the Cup. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour and his dedicated staff then went on to complete the subsequent six rows of names, marking their contribution to the team’s success.
The playing squad, led by the Conn Smythe winner and team captain Jordan Staal, subsequently completed the final 24 names on the trophy, honouring their role in securing the championship. The criteria for a player to earn a spot on the Stanley Cup are well-defined: those who appeared in 41 regular-season games, or half of the full campaign, or who dressed in uniform for a finals game, are guaranteed to have their name etched onto the trophy as a testament to their involvement in the winning season.
Notable Absences and Fan Outcry
Despite the specific rules for player eligibility, some individuals with significant involvement in the team’s season found their names absent from the historic engravings. Joel Nystrom, for instance, who made 38 regular-season appearances with the Carolina Hurricanes and spent the remainder of the season playing with the AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves, was ultimately not among those included on the Cup. Furthermore, several off-ice staff members, whose contributions are often vital behind the scenes, also did not have their names listed on the trophy.
A particularly poignant omission was that of Equipment Manager Bobby Gorman. Mr Gorman possesses a long and storied history with the franchise, having been with the organisation since its origins as the Hartford Whalers. He had previously been honoured with an inclusion on The Cup in 2006, yet this year, his name was not featured among the engraved personnel. Only a select group of individuals from the current roster and staff have had the distinction of having their names etched onto The Cup in previous years. This exclusive list includes the head coach Rod Brind’Amour, team captain Jordan Staal, and forward William Carrier, highlighting their repeated success in the league.
While the majority of fans and players came together to celebrate the historic etchings and the team’s victory, the placement of the Dundon family’s names at the forefront sparked a wave of critical commentary from some sections of the fanbase. One particularly vocal critic, writing on X, articulated their disapproval by stating: “Tom Dundon putting his whole family on the Cup instead of players & staff who actually did things to win the Stanley Cup is one the most selfish & gross things I’ve ever seen. It’s so disrespectful and shameful.”
Another online commentator further elaborated on their discontent with the decision, remarking on X: “Dumb Tom Dundon wasted so much space on the Stanley Cup by adding his useless children to it. Children who contributed nothing to the success of that team. What a self serving prick. Shameful.” A third instance of direct criticism simply conveyed the sentiment with the cutting phrase: “Absolute trashy behavior,” reflecting the strong negative reaction generated by the engraving choices.
Financial Standing and Historical Precedent
Mr Dundon, whose net worth is estimated at $2.3 billion according to Forbes, first became involved with the Carolina Hurricanes by purchasing a majority stake in the team for a sum of $420 million. He later solidified his control by buying out the remaining minority shareholders, thereby achieving full ownership of the organisation in 2021. In a more recent financial development for the franchise, Mr Dundon sold a 12.5% stake of the Hurricanes to a group of investors in March. This transaction was based on a substantial $2.66 billion valuation of the team.
The controversy surrounding Mr Dundon’s engraving choices appears to draw parallels with a previous situation involving Vincent Viola, the owner of the Florida Panthers. Mr Viola had the names of his own relatives – Teresa, John, Michael and Travis – etched into The Cup following the Panthers’ back-to-back victories in 2024 and 2025. However, a significant distinction exists between the two scenarios. In Mr Viola’s case, his four relatives all actively serve in official capacities as alternate governors on the Panthers’ executive board, indicating a direct, professional involvement in the team’s operations. This contrasts with the family members of Mr Dundon, for whom no such roles are mentioned in the source material.
The practice of engraving names on the Stanley Cup remains a deeply significant tradition within hockey, yet it continues to be a subject that can generate both widespread celebration for achievements and considerable scrutiny over the choices made by those with the authority to add names to its storied surface.