Former Spits playing for Stanley Cup

Windsor, Ontario has plenty of reason to cheer this spring — three former Windsor Spitfires are headed to the Stanley Cup Final with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Taylor Hall capped off a dominant Eastern Conference Final performance on Friday night in Raleigh, recording a goal and two assists as the Hurricanes steamrolled the Montreal Canadiens 6–1 in Game 5. The win sent Carolina to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006, when the 'Canes beat the Edmonton Oilers in seven games.

"It's what you play for and what you dream of." — Logan Stankoven, post-game

After dropping the series opener to Montreal, Carolina reeled off four straight victories and their Game 5 blowout left no doubt. Hall, who suited up for Windsor before going first overall in the 2010 NHL Draft, now finds himself just four wins away from the Stanley Cup at age 34.

It marks his first appearance ever in the Cup Final. Alongside Hall on the blueline is defenceman Jalen Chatfield, a Ypsilanti, Michigan native who came to Windsor as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and spent three seasons with the Spits, winning the Memorial Cup as co-captain in 2017. Chatfield has been a reliable shutdown defender throughout Carolina's 2026 playoff run, logging top-four minutes and chipping in on offence along the way.

Also behind the bench, former Spitfires blueliner Tim Gleason serves as an assistant coach under Rod Brind'Amour. Gleason played four seasons in Windsor from 1999 to 2003 and was a captain before being drafted 23rd overall by Ottawa. He's been part of the Hurricanes' coaching staff as the organization has built into a perennial contender.

Standing in their way are the Vegas Golden Knights, who swept the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final. Game 1 goes Tuesday at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Windsor will be watching.