Brendan Lemieux of the Carolina Hurricanes was gratified Wednesday to see Canes fans fill the Lenovo Center both to see a preseason hockey game, but more so to help others in need.
The Canes had announced that $10 tickets would be sold to the preseason exhibition against the Nashville Predators. After Helene struck western counties in North Carolina last weekend, causing so much destruction and loss of life, Wednesday’s game took on another meaning.
The Hurricanes said all ticket sales and donations would go to hurricane relief funds. Late in the game, it was announced almost $280,000 had been raised and team president Doug Warf said after the game — a 6-4 loss to the Preds — that he expected the total to be closer to $300,000.
Warf said Thursday the total had topped $300,000. Some auction items are being offered on the Canes’ website ( nhl.com/hurricanes /) the next few weeks to continue to raise funds., he said.
Lemieux, who had a goal in Wednesday’s game, called the overflow crowd of 18,700 and the financial support from the game “incredible.”
“My mom’s from Vilas, just outside of Boone,” the forward said. “Our family is from there. My grandpa and my grandmother are buried there. We feel for all the people in Vilas and the surrounding areas.
“Western North Carolina has been hit so hard, and frankly I don’t think there has been enough attention around it. It’s sad because I was on the phone with a friend today and he said there’s still people missing, still hundreds of unaccounted people presumed dead.
“It’s mind-blowing to me that in our country something like this can happen. Obviously, I understand how remote and hard it is to access and for people to help. But it’s scary and it’s something we can all come together, whatever side of the aisle you’re on, and get behind and support these people in dire need of help.”
Lemieux, the son of former NHL forward Claude Lemieux, said neighbors of his parents had their house swept away by the flooding. He said he hopes to be able to find some time to go up and lend help.
Some former Hurricanes players, including defenseman Aaron Ward and goalie Cam Ward, joined the relief effort, gathering to help raise donations, food and other necessities. The group, Carolina NHL Hockey Alum, said Wednesday they would truck supplies to Hendersonville.
“I’ve been praying for these people,” Lemieux said. “My family is very lucky to be safe. But the videos we got from our own porch, it’s scary.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve never been around a hurricane of that magnitude or flooding like that. It’s very scary.”
Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour also tried to put things in perspective after the game. Carolina, with a youthful lineup, played a Preds team packed with veterans and it showed in the play on the ice and the final score. But Brind’Amour, like Lemieux, praised the turnout and the financial support it provided.
“That’s obviously the most important thing coming out of tonight,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s everyone coming together and anything can help,.” Brind’Amour said. “What’s going on down there … This is having fun. They’re dealing with real stuff. Anything we can do to help is great.”
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