Hurricanes Owner Under Fire for Leaving Player Off Stanley Cup Trophy

The Carolina Hurricanes are still celebrating their Stanley Cup Final victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, but some fans are raining on team owner Tom Dundon's parade.

Photos of the Hurricanes' Stanley Cup trophy emerged on social media, and to the surprise of many, the names of Dundon's wife and five kids were inscribed on the Cup.

But that's not all. Not only was Dundon's family listed on the Cup, but one Hurricanes player - Joel Nystrom - wasn't listed on it, and fans reacted accordingly.

"Rich man narcissism at its finest. Dundon will be remembered, but not in a good way," one fan replied.

"This is shameful. They put a second graders name on the cup. What contribution could he have made?" another fan scoffed.

"Wow @NHL how embarrassing. You'll always be a fringe league pulling this kind of BS. And yes, the NHL has final approval on whose name goes on the Cup. Bush league," a third fan remarked.

"Family members should not be on the cup, players and staff only," one user stated.

"The fact that @Canes owner put 7 family names on the Stanley Cup ahead of any players and in one case of a player who played 38 regular season games, is a disgraceful action in NHL history," wrote another user.

"Owner, that's it. Family members should never be included," a third user posted.

"This is how you sow division in your locker room," one fan stated.

Per NHL rules, players need to play in at least 41 regular-season games or one Stanley Cup Final game for a team to get their names on the trophy. Nystrom played in 38 NHL games before being sent back to the American Hockey League, meaning he wasn't even eligible to have his name included.

But fans are arguing Nystrom contributed more to the Hurricanes' Cup win than any of Dundon's kids - a point well made.

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This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 9:37 PM.