Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images

Eric Staal, left, is a rising young star for the Hurricanes, a team that could help boost interest in hockey in the South with it's Stanley Cup title, writes Bill Clement of MSNBC.com.

Hockey not just for frigid locales
The age-old argument that hockey can't catch on in the South doesn't hold up anymore. It was thought that since the climate in the southern United States didn't bring much ice in the winter, kids didn't grow up playing the sport, and never became fans of it.

But as it turns out ice wasn't what was needed to increase hockey's popularity in the South — inline skating was. 

The advent of local inline hockey leagues throughout the South has given every kid an opportunity to not only play the sport in organized form, but also to go home and skate in the driveway, pretending to be Eric Staal or Rod Brind'Amour or whoever their hockey hero might be.

What's also helped grow the sport's popularity everywhere — not only in the South — is that hockey players are so easy to identify with, so accessible, and so respectful of the media's needs, and the fans' support.

No flash in the pan
It is important that Carolina not go south like it did after making the Stanley Cup finals in 2002. The season after the Hurricanes played the Red Wings for the championship, Carolina limped to a dead-last finish in the NHL.

The Hurricanes have young players who can form the nucleus of their team for years to come. Eric Staal is the centerpiece of that nucleus, but among those who are also part of it are Conn Smythe winner Cam Ward, Andrew Ladd, and Jack Johnson, who looks to have star status in his future.

Jim Rutherford is a general manager who is shrewd enough to not only build a championship contender, but also to keep it one for more than just one season. Rutherford has proven he can put the right people in the right places, and I expect him to continue doing so.

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures A kayaker flips out, a racehorse eyes the Triple Crown and more. more photos

In today's NHL with a salary cap in place, every team is on an even playing field. There are free agents coming available every offseason to fill the holes on teams, and Raleigh is an attractive city and Carolina an attractive franchise for players who are shopping for a new team.

And as long as the Hurricanes' organization is committed to continuing to try and win championships, players will want to come to Carolina. And they'll tell other players how attractive playing in Carolina is because of factors such as the cost of living, good weather, and friendly people.

There's no question the Carolina Hurricanes will play a significant role in developing a stronger interest in the NHL in the South, and their winning a Cup will make a lot of people who are used to heat even hotter for hockey.

More news

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

Devils get it done in Game 5

NJ blows three-goal lead, but Ryan Carter's late goal helps No. 6 seed beat NY Rangers 5-3, move within one win of Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday.

NBC Sports

Highlights: Devils defeat Rangers in Game 5

  In New York, New Jersey took Game 5 with a 5-3 win and lead the series 3-2. The Rangers fought back from an early 3 goal deficit in the first period to tie the game early in the third period, only to see the Devils score two unanswered goals to win the game.

Headlines

• Label

PHT: Torts still upbeat  |  'Best game of the series'

PHT: Elias says NJ 'stole this one' | Gionta on win

NHL.com: Unlikely contributors fueling Devils' ride

PHT: Brodeur pokes fun at NYR fans  |  Shaky start

PHT Extra: Can Kings cap run with Cup?

Kings conquer West, await Cup finals opponent

PHT: Brown won't be penalized for Rozsival hit

PHT: Coyotes unveil plenty of conspiracy theories