RALEIGH, N.C. — This year's NHL Stadium Series is bringing more than just the Carolina Hurricanes to the ice outside, it’s bringing the joy of the sport to our community. It’s also creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some local athletes.

What You Need To Know

  • The Icepack is N.C. State’s club hockey team
  • This team has a long history going back to the 1970s
  • While a club team, the Icepack gets the opportunity to play NCAA Division I programs
  • The team has won the ACCHL the last four years, as well as made nationals apperances in 2019 and 2021

Victor Hugo is the captain and president of the N.C. State Icepack club hockey team. He has has been on the ice his entire life.

"My dad just put me on skates when I was really young, and I just loved it ever since,” Hugo said.

His love of hockey has been passed down the generations. His grandpa played at West Point and his dad played at Canterbury School.

Through hard work Hugo says he’s "been lucky enough to be able to get a spot on that ice."

While the Icepack is a club team, the players put in work like any other collegiate athletes.

"You're always fighting for a spot. The teams we play are really tough,” Hugo said.

These tough teams and high competition have pushed the team to grow and compete at top levels. Including playing Division I programs, winning the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League the last four years, and making nationals appearances in 2019 and 2021.

"We take ourselves very seriously. We hold ourselves to the standard as all the NCAA sports do,” Hugo said.

This coming week all their hard work pays off, and Hugo gets to continue his family's legacy on hockey’s biggest stage. 

The team will take on rival University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at Carter-Finley Stadium for the NHL Stadium Series.

"I've never played outdoors like that. And to play in our football stadium for the first time, my senior year will be, I mean, just indescribable,” Hugo said.

Hugo and the team worked with the NHL and the Wolfpack football team to get a spot on the ice.

“To play against your rival school who you hate. It's going to be the emotions are going to be huge,” Hugo said.

Emotions brought on by years of hard work and generations on the ice.

“It's going to be a dream come true,” Hugo said.

Hugo is a senior studying aerospace engineering and has a job lined up after his graduation to be a systems engineer.

The Icepack will take on UNC at Carter-Finley Stadium at 7 p.m. Monday. Admission is free.