Overview
- The parade on Saturday, June 20, drew widely varying but very large crowd estimates, with reports ranging from about 150,000 to more than 180,000 people in downtown Raleigh.
- Players, coaches and general manager Eric Tulsky rode open-top double-decker buses to City Plaza where speeches, photos and a public rally capped the celebration.
- Tulsky used the rally to announce a two-year contract extension for winger Nicolas Deslauriers, the first roster move made public during the festivities.
- Several players and coach Rod Brind’Amour described the atmosphere as extraordinary, with Sebastian Aho and others saying they were surprised and grateful for the turnout.
- Outside Raleigh the league is shifting to offseason business with Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill saying re-signing Jason Robertson is the team’s priority and that he will meet with captain Jamie Benn after the NHL draft to discuss Benn’s future.