Erie native, former CC, Thunderbirds, Jaguars, LHA standout Slavin lifts Stanley Cup with Hurricanes

Former Colorado College and current Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin made history Sunday night when the Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. 

Slavin, who collected the primary assist on Carolina’s first goal in the series-clinching victory, is just the fifth former Tiger to win a Stanley Cup, joining Bill ‘Red’ Hay (1961), Doug Lidster (1994 and ’99), Jaden Schwartz (2019) and Curtis McElhinney (2020 and ’21). 

Additionally, Slavin joined some exclusive clubs after the Hurricanes won their second Stanley Cup in franchise history, with the first coming two decades ago in 2006. 

He is just the second American to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same year, as Ken Morrow was the first to complete the ‘double’ in 1980. Slavin is also the ninth player in history, regardless of country, to achieve that feat. 

Only four Americans had won a gold medal and a Stanley Cup in history prior to Slavin Sunday night – Morrow (gold and SC in 1980), Neal Broten (gold in 1980, SC in 1995), Jack Eichel (SC in 2023, gold in 2026) and Matthew Tkachuk (SC in 2024 and ’25, gold in 2026). 

Slavin, originally from Erie, played for the Tigers from 2013-15 and was the NCHC Rookie of the Year in 2013-14 after getting drafted by the Hurricanes in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. He was a First Team All-NCHC member in 2015.

An alternate captain for Carolina, Slavin was also the 2023-24 recipient of the NHL’s Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability,” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

During his youth hockey days, Slavin starred for the Colorado Thunderbirds, Hyland Hills Jaguars and Littleton Hawks.

Photo/TV screen capture