NHL announces that November is Carolina Hurricanes Awareness Month

The Elbow staff

November is Carolina Hurricanes Awareness Month in the NHL. Source

RALEIGH, NC – Commissioner Gary Bettman today announced that November will be Carolina Hurricanes Awareness Month in the NHL.

Speaking at PNC Arena this morning, Bettman said less than half of the league's fans know that there is still a team in North Carolina.

"Despite popular opinion, a professional hockey team has in fact been playing here for the past 20 years," he said. "Our hope with this new initiative is that fans both in and out of the state are made aware of this."

General manager Ron Francis said the team is thankful for the steps taken by the league in raising awareness of its existence.

"One in ten people in the Carolinas know someone who knows a Hurricanes fan, so this affects literally hundreds of us."

The league will be selling red, black and white ribbons at every NHL game during the month. Fans will also be encouraged to donate to the Hurricanes Foundation, a not-for-profit set up with the sole purpose of raising awareness of the team

A portion of every NHL ticket sold during the month will be donated to the foundation, with funds raised going towards various initiatives including a national ad campaign and education in public schools in North Carolina.

The league's social media team is encouraging all Twitter, Facebook and Instagram users to post with the hashtag #StillHere.