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Mike Sundheim is in his 25th year with the Carolina Hurricanes communications department, and his 20th year heading the department. In July 2014, he was promoted to vice president of communications and team services, taking on travel and team services responsibilities in addition to his long-time media relations role. Sundheim helped lead the Hurricanes to the Dick Dillman Award in 2019-20 and 2020-21, presented annually by the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) to honor the work of outstanding NHL public relations staffs in each conference.
A 2000 graduate of the University of North Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sundheim is responsible for the promotion of the team and its players in the local and national media, and serves as the Hurricanes’ primary media contact and spokesperson. He is also responsible for team publications, including media guides and press releases, as well as managing the team’s communications budget and staff. In 2017, he assumed additional duties coordinating the team’s broadcasting efforts: serving as the primary contact for the team’s affiliates, assisting in personnel decisions and developing the Hurricanes’ broadcasts on television and radio.
Along with his communications role, Sundheim works with plane, bus and hotel companies to make the Hurricanes’ travel arrangements and manages player community and corporate appearances and events throughout the year. He also remains active with the team’s digital content efforts, contributing regularly to the team’s website and helping to establish and develop the team’s original Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Prior to joining the Hurricanes full-time in 2000, Sundheim spent two seasons as an intern in the team’s media relations department, beginning with the 1998-99 campaign. Originally from Somerville, N.J., he also gained experience as an assistant sports editor for UNC’s student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel, a student assistant in the UNC sports information department and a summer intern for the New Jersey Red Dogs of the Arena Football League (AFL).
Sundheim completed a master’s degree in Sport Management from North Carolina State University in 2015, and he previously served as an adjunct professor at UNC’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, teaching a course in “Sports Publicity.”
Mike Brown is in his 13th NHL season and his fifth with the Carolina Hurricanes communications department. Brown is responsible for promoting the team with local and national media outlets, serves as a media contact for players and staff, and is responsible for team publications, including the media guide, news releases and the team’s media site. He previously served as the team’s communications and hockey operations coordinator for two seasons (2018-20).
Prior to joining the Hurricanes, Brown spent eight seasons with the Boston Bruins as a member of the communications game night staff and served as a communications intern during the team’s Stanley Cup run in 2010-11. He also gained experience working for the New England Sports Network, Hockey East Association and Northeastern University’s athletic department.
A native of South Berwick, Maine, Brown graduated from Northeastern University’s School of Journalism in 2013.
David Piper is in his fifth year with the Carolina Hurricanes communications department and his third as communications coordinator. Piper produces the team’s game notes, line charts, news releases and other communications materials. He is the team’s primary contact for game credentials and also assists in the promotion of the team in local and national media outlets. Piper first worked for the Hurricanes as a media relations intern during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Piper is a graduate of the University of North Carolina’s School of Journalism and Media. While in school, he gained experience with FOX Sports and the Premier Lacrosse League and worked as a recruiting assistant for UNC’s football program.
