A Tar Heel kept the Canes champs on the ice

UNC alumnus and former Carolina Hurricanes head athletic trainer Doug Bennett brought the Stanley Cup back to Chapel Hill to celebrate a 16-year journey with the team and his Tar Heel roots. (Submitted photo/Jaylynn Nash)

In keeping with hockey tradition, each player, coach and staff member on the Carolina Hurricanes spent a day with the Stanley Cup this offseason.

When it was his turn, Doug Bennett ’07 (MA), the champs’ head athletic trainer, knew exactly what he’d do: On Sept. 5, he brought Lord Stanley’s Cup to Carolina.

His stops included the Old Well, Boshamer Stadium, Dean E. Smith Center and Stallings-Evans Sports Medicine Center, all nods to his time as a graduate student at Carolina.

“Bringing the Stanley Cup to Chapel Hill was 1,000 times better than I expected,” said Bennett. “Driving around and going places that mean so much to me with my classmates and family was so incredibly special.”

During his most recent visit, Bennett took the Stanley Cup to several notable locations across campus. (Submitted photo/Jaylynn Nash)

The first celebration came in June when the Hurricanes won Game 6 against the Las Vegas Golden Knights to clinch the title. Bennett felt “pure elation and joy” when Nikolaj Ehlers’ empty-net goal sealed the Canes’ 3-0 victory. But all he could do was toss the towel he was holding overhead.

“It was almost an out-of-body experience,” he said. “There’s an old Stanley Cup commercial for ESPN called ‘No Words,’ and it’s just them interviewing players after they’ve won, and they can’t get their words out.”

When the Canes won their first title 20 years ago, Bennett was an athletic trainer with Carolina baseball, which reached the College World Series finals in 2006 and ’07. He also worked with the Tar Heel men’s basketball and cross-country programs.

Bennett reunited with former baseball coach Mike Fox. (Submitted photo/Jaylynn Nash)

Bennett, who grew up in western Pennsylvania as a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, can’t remember a life without sports. “We planned dinners around what time games started,” he joked.

He paired his passion for sports with a desire to take care of people.

Bennett received a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and was an athletic trainer intern for the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. He earned a master’s degree in exercise and sport science from the UNC College of Arts and Sciences in 2007.

Bennett went on to be a certified athletic trainer for the University, building the sports club athletic training program from the ground up. He helped design and implement operational frameworks, sports medicine services, injury management protocols and emergency action procedures for a growing competitive club sports program.

“The relationships made at UNC have been second to none,” Bennett said of his classmates who are now professionals in athletics and research. “We are incredibly prepared to go out into the world and into the field to make a difference.”

Bennett alongside his wife and two children. (Submitted photo/Jaylynn Nash)

Bennett also interned with the Canes, so he was familiar with the organization when he began a full-time role in 2010 as assistant athletic trainer. He was promoted to head athletic trainer in 2017, a position he held through this past championship series.

His work with the team covered injury prevention strategies, injury evaluation and rehabilitation. Bennett worked closely with team doctors to set up medical care and treatment plans for players.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the job was helping players recover from injuries.

Bennett made sure the trophy made its way to the Stallings-Evans Sports Medicine Center. (Submitted photo/Jaylynn Nash)

“Andrei Svetchnikov tore his ACL a few years back, and seeing him have the success he’s having now and lifting the Stanley Cup was incredibly rewarding. He’s a special player and person,” Bennett said.

After attending every practice and game — home or away — for 16 years, Bennett stepped down from his role earlier this month. He’s looking forward to spending more time with his wife and two children.

It’s a huge win, even without a trophy.

“The relationships made at UNC have been second to none,” Bennett said. (Photo courtesy of Jaylynn Nash)