Tom Dundon Faces Backlash for Engraving Family Names on Stanley Cup

The Carolina Hurricanes' second Stanley Cup championship was marked by controversy when owner Tom Dundon engraved his wife and five children's names on the trophy alongside players and staff. The decision consumed nearly one-sixth of the allotted engraving space with family members listed before coaches and many players, triggering widespread criticism from hockey fans and observers.

The Engraving Details

The names of Dundon's wife, Verushka, and their five children—Caden, Dax, Drew, Blake, and Tagan—appear on the first two lines of the newly engraved section beneath the "Carolina Hurricanes 2025-2026" banner. The seven family members used 90 characters of the maximum 55 names permitted for engraving on Lord Stanley. The Hurricanes organization announced the engraving with a social media post reading "Forever etched in history," which became a focal point for criticism across platforms.

Following the family names, the engraving continued with CEO Brian Fork and General Manager Eric Tulsky, then head coach Rod Brind'Amour and his staff across six rows. Players and support staff completed the remaining 24 spots. The placement structure meant that Dundon's immediate family received positioning above many of those directly involved in achieving the championship.

The Backlash

Critics expressed strong disapproval of the decision. Social media users characterized the choice as "disrespectful and shameful," with some calling it "selfish" and "trashy behavior." One observer noted that the children "contributed nothing to the success of that team," while another described the action as "one of the most gross things" they had witnessed. The controversy highlighted tension between ownership prerogatives and community expectations regarding Stanley Cup traditions.

Some players were notably excluded from the engraving despite eligibility. Joel Nystrom, who appeared in 38 regular-season games before being assigned to the AHL affiliate, and Equipment Manager Bobby Gorman—who had been with the franchise since its Hartford Whalers era and received engraving recognition in 2006—did not have their names included this year.

Championship Context

The Hurricanes defeated the Golden Knights in six games to secure their second franchise championship. The 2006 Stanley Cup winners included head coach Rod Brind'Amour, whose name now appears on the trophy for a second time. Captain Jordan Staal also earned his second Cup engraving, having won previously with Pittsburgh in 2009. Forward William Carrier achieved the same distinction after capturing the championship with Vegas in 2023.

Dundon, whose net worth is valued at $2.3 billion, acquired majority ownership of the team for $420 million before purchasing remaining minority shares for full control. The Stanley Cup will begin its traditional summer tour on July 11, with team members spending individual days celebrating with the trophy.