Edmonton Oilers Hall of Famer Kevin Lowe has strongly criticized Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon for including his wife and five children on the Stanley Cup after the team's 2026 championship, calling the move “completely disrespectful.” Lowe, whose name appears on the Cup six times as a player and executive, expressed his views in an interview published Thursday.
Lowe Calls Out Dundon's Family Inscription
“What Dundon is doing is completely disrespectful and you can quote a guy who has his name on it six times,” Lowe said. The Hurricanes owner listed his wife and all five children—none of whom work for the team and most of whom are school-aged—on the trophy, a departure from NHL tradition. Florida Panthers owner Vincent Viola also included his wife and three adult sons, but his son Travis serves as vice president of hockey operations, making the inclusion more justifiable in Lowe's view.
Lowe, who later served as Oilers general manager during their 2006 Stanley Cup final loss to Carolina, emphasized that the Cup belongs primarily to the players and team staff who contributed directly to the championship. He noted that while owners deserve recognition, there is a “tender balance” between ownership and player contributions.
Historical Context and Precedent
The Oilers' own history provides a cautionary tale. In 1984, then-owner Peter Pocklington attempted to include his father Basil's name on the Cup, but the league intervened and removed it, claiming it was an engraver's error. Pocklington did not include his wife Eva or son Zach on the real trophy. Lowe recalled that the Oilers' ownership group at the time, the Edmonton Investors Group, had discussed listing only chairman Cal Nichols if they had won in 2006.
“Likely only the chairman (Cal Nichols) but it was never discussed,” Lowe said. The Oilers expanded their list of names on subsequent Cup wins to include scouts, medical staff, massage therapists, and communications personnel—individuals who directly contributed to the team's success.
Dundon's Unconventional Style
Lowe also commented on Dundon's casual demeanor, recalling that Dundon showed up to his first board of governors' meeting “in a friggin track suit.” Dundon, who also owns the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, is known for his informal approach. Lowe, who served as the Oilers' governor after his playing career, suggested that such behavior reflects a broader disregard for hockey traditions.
The NHL allows owners to determine who is included on the Cup, but the league reserves the right to review and approve the list. In 1989, the Calgary Flames listed six owners, including Eskimos legend Normie Kwong, but such multiple-owner inscriptions are rare. Lowe argued that the Cup's sanctity should be preserved for those who earned it through direct involvement.
Balancing Ownership and Player Recognition
“It’s a tender balance. The owners can’t think it’s all about them, conversely, the players also can’t think it’s all about them,” Lowe said. He noted that hockey uniquely prioritizes the team captain receiving the Cup first, unlike other major sports where the owner often takes precedence. The tradition underscores the players' central role in winning the championship.
Lowe's comments have sparked debate among hockey fans and analysts about the proper etiquette for Cup inscriptions. While some argue that owners have the right to honor their families, others agree with Lowe that the trophy should reflect the contributions of those who built and supported the team throughout the season.
