‘CANES EXTEND LEASE AT PNC ARENA THROUGH 2028-29
RALEIGH, NC – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, and Tom McCormick, Centennial Authority board chair, will be available to the media today at PNC Arena at 1 p.m. The availability will take place at the Ledge Lounge, adjacent to the club restaurant on the arena’s second level.
The Centennial Authority, owners of PNC Arena, and Gale Force Sports and Entertainment, L.L.C announced today that the Centennial Authority board has approved a five-year lease extension with the Carolina Hurricanes. The newly negotiated lease states that the Hurricanes will occupy PNC Arena until July 1, 2029.
WHO: Don Waddell, Hurricanes President and General Manager
Tom McCormick, Centennial Authority board chair
WHAT: Media availability
WHERE: Ledge Lounge, PNC Arena
WHEN: Thursday, May 28 at 1 p.m. ET
Media are asked to please practice safe social distancing during today’s availability and remain at least six feet separated from each other and the speakers at the availability. Masks will not be required, but are recommended.
CAROLINA HURRICANES FOUNDATION DONATES $478,000
RALEIGH, NC – The Carolina Hurricanes today announced that the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation has donated a total of $478,000 during the 2019-20 season, including cash grants to 26 local nonprofits and youth hockey organizations in North Carolina. This grant cycle brings the Foundation and team’s donation totals to more than $16 million in cash grants and in-kind services since 1997.
‘CANES ANNOUNCE STAFFING SOLUTIONS FOR CRISIS
RALEIGH, NC – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the organization has taken a series of important steps to protect the interests of the team and its employees. The NHL paused the 2019-20 season on March 12 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. On March 23, the team and PNC Arena were forced to shut down operations so that staff could practice social distancing.
Following an exploration of the marketplace and governmental opportunities, the team has been able to ensure that full-time employees will not lose income by following these procedures:
• Approximately 55 percent of all full-time staff will be placed on furlough through June 7, and given the opportunity to take full advantage of the government’s stimulus package
• Employees placed on furlough who are not eligible to collect 100% of their full base salaries via unemployment insurance will be provided a bonus by the organization upon the conclusion of the furlough period to be made whole
• All furloughed employees will continue to receive healthcare benefits during the furlough period, and the company will assist employees by making their premium payments during that time
“The organization remains committed to taking care of our staff as well as possible given these unprecedented circumstances,” said Waddell. “We’ve created a solution that protects our employees from financial hardship, while also mitigating the losses suffered by the company during this shutdown.”
‘CANES AGREE TO TERMS WITH DAVID AND JASON COTTON
RALEIGH, NC – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forwards David and Jason Cotton. David Cotton has been signed to a two-year, entry-level contract that will pay $700,000 in 2020-21 and $832,500 in 2021-22 at the NHL level and $70,000 at the American Hockey League (AHL) level in both seasons, and he will receive a $185,000 signing bonus. Jason Cotton has been signed to a one-year contract for the 2020-21 season that will pay $700,000 at the NHL level and $50,000 at the AHL level, and he will receive a $25,000 signing bonus.
‘CANES, PNC ARENA OFFICES TO CLOSE TEMPORARILY
RALEIGH, NC – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team will temporarily close its offices at PNC Arena on Tuesday due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Hockey and business operations will continue with employees working remotely.
‘CANES TO COMPENSATE EVENT STAFF FOR LOST WAGES
RALEIGH, NC – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team will compensate PNC Arena and Hurricanes event staff for lost wages due to the 2019-20 NHL season being paused because of the Coronavirus (COVD-19) crisis. Hourly staff will be compensated based on expected workload during the team’s final seven March regular-season home games.
Funding will come from Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon and the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation. In addition, Hurricanes players have made a generous donation to help supplement the incomes of the event staff employees, understanding that many may be losing from other sources during this time.
‘CANES REASSIGN NEDELJKOVIC TO CHARLOTTE
RALEIGH, NC – Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has reassigned goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL).
