6.16.26 Staal

Josh Lavallee/Carolina Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. - Landing back in North Carolina just before 7 p.m. ET on Monday, the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes had the red carpet rolled out for them as they touched down at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Beginning with a water cannon salute as the team taxied toward its stop, the hosts, who helped ensure a safe takeoff and arrival for the team's 53 road games (preseason, regular season, and postseason) between September and June, made a very nice gesture.

Gathering their belongings and jumping on a pair of buses, the party then swung out front of the hangars, where hundreds of Caniacs greeted them.

Just a tiny, tiny sampling of what's to come on Saturday at the team's Championship Celebration presented by Spectrum, it was a special moment to culminate a special season.

After eventually making their way off airport grounds, the party continued later on in downtown Raleigh, for the first of what is sure to be many evenings with Lord Stanley out and about.