​The Sporting News originally published an article examining why Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon faced criticism for having his entire family engraved on the Stanley Cup. The piece notes that adding the names of Dundon and six of his relatives to hockey’s most iconic trophy drew scrutiny, especially since the engraving is meant to honor the players and key contributors who helped win the championship. The engraving choice sparked debate among reporters, who argued that Dundon’s family members received more prominence than longtime Hurricanes personnel, players, and staff who also earned their place on the Cup.
Dundon, who had recently acquired the Portland Trail Blazers, was already a figure of contention in the eyes of some fans and commentators. While the Hurricanes celebrated their first Stanley Cup since 2006, Dundon’s leadership drew mixed reactions from the fanbase, with some viewing the decision as a personal celebration of his family rather than a recognition of the broader organization’s efforts.
To understand the controversy, it helps to review how the Stanley Cup is traditionally engraved. Only a limited number of names can fit on the trophy, so teams typically reserve the space for players, coaches, and key organizational figures who contributed to the championship run. Dundon’s decision to allocate seven engraving spots to his relatives—more than to any single non-family member within the Hurricanes’ organization—left seven others without a place on the Cup. This allocation prompted extensive online criticism, as many argued that the engraving should prioritize players and staff who earned the honor during the season rather than family members of the owner.
The seven Dundon family members whose names were etched into the Stanley Cup were placed in a sequence that reflects their positions on the Cup’s rows. Caden Dundon appears on the final spot of the first row alongside Tom and Veruschka Dundon. Dax Dundon occupies the first name on the second row, which is noted as being entirely populated by the Dundon children. Directly above Dax is Drew Dundon, with his name above that of Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky. Blake Dundon is placed above head coach Rod Brind’Amour, and Tagan Dundon completes the family’s line on the Cup. This arrangement made it clear that the seven Dundon family members were prioritized in the engraving over other potential honorees within the organization.
Dundon’s broader profile includes significant business success in real estate and financial services, which enabled him to purchase the Hurricanes in 2018 and, more recently, the Blazers. Veruschka Dundon, Dundon’s wife, tends to stay out of the public spotlight, while the couple’s five children—most of whom are still under 18 at the time of the engraving—represent a personal milestone for the owner. The engraving decision drew a wide range of reactions, from admiration of a family’s celebration to criticism that the trophy’s honor should be more evenly distributed among players, coaches, and staff who contributed directly to the championship run.
This raised broader questions about how ownership choices intersect with traditions surrounding the Stanley Cup. While some fans and analysts defended Dundon’s right to honor his family in a highly personal way, others argued that the engraving should reflect the collective achievements of the organization rather than the private family of the owner. The controversy underscores the delicate balance between personal milestones and the public, historic nature of the Stanley Cup’s engravings, which are intended to recognize the players and personnel whose efforts culminated in a championship season. The discussion continues to resonate among fans, journalists, and members of the Hurricanes organization as they reflect on the meaning and symbolism of engravings on hockey’s most storied trophy.
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