Carolina Hurricanes Bringing More Than Just Hockey to the Triangle

The media blitz is on.

011550..you can still get season tickets for the carolina hurricanes inauguralseason.

010917..the challenge is to sell 12,000 season tickets by the start ofthe season, and we've got a ways to go.

With the home opener in Greensboro targeted for October 4th, the Hurricaneshave sold less than three-thousand season tickets.Many people may be waiting the two years until the team comes to Raleighnew sports arena.Front office officials admit their marketing campaign has yet to hit fullstride.

011116..we're making a lot of contacts.

The team has committments from about a dozen corporate sponsors.((NATS AIRPORT-MIDWAY))

And, the 'canes have struck deals with local companies like Midway Airlinesto provide needed services to help the team in its move South.The Hurricanes have hired more than 20 local people to staff the frontoffice, and players are taking to the area like polar bears to ice.

011231..we've probably had maybe 16, 17 players that have already boughthomes.

011934..they like the lifestyle. They like the climate. They like thefact of being able to play golf year round.

((NATS OF GAME))

One big problem.. filling arena seats will likely mean teaching Caroliniansabout hockey.But team officials Tarheels won't be tough sells once they get a glimpseof the game.

011354..as long as you know what icing and offsides and the two-line passis, you'll know the game of hockey. You don't have to worry about thepenalities, because everybody hates the ref anyway.

011616..it blows everything away.

Robert Carver, WRAL-TV 5 News, Raleigh.