Icepack to play Canes Alumni

RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State Icepack will return to the ice one more time before the winter break in an exhibition game against members of the 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes, winners of the Stanley Cup. 

As part of the Canes' 20th Anniversary Championship Presentation, the Icepack will play at the Lenovo Center and face the Hurricanes alumni for the second straight year. Confirmed to be playing in the game are multiple former Hurricanes, including Eric Staal, Cam Ward and Rod Brind’Amour. 

In January 2025, the Icepack defeated the Hurricanes alumni 7-6 as part of Staal’s number retirement celebration. Jake Gifford scored NC State’s game-winning goal with 30 seconds remaining to complete a hat trick. 

Gifford said the team hadn’t expected to win last year and is looking forward to another chance to face the alumni. “We’re going to try to win, but it’s just going to be a fun end to the semester,” he said. “A good experience, for the guys who’ve done it and the guys who haven’t.”

He added that the team remained in Raleigh after finishing classes to participate in the event.  The Icepack closed out their semester at the end of November with a dominant win over rival UNC, also at the Lenovo Center. 

“It’s going to be fun,” Gifford said. “Two in a row is always good. We’re excited.”

The matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at the Lenovo Center. Tickets are available online, and students can purchase them here at a discount with a valid .edu email address.