Hurricanes fans have high hopes for the new season

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Carolina Hurricanes don't officially begin the season for a few weeks but on Monday they begin the preseason in Buffalo.

Sunday, the Canes hosted their annual Caniac Carnival at PNC Arena.

"We love supporting the Canes," Jennifer Greene said. "We're so ready for hockey season."

"It's fun to hear the crowd getting into it," said Carolina defender, Trevor Van Riemsdyk. "At the end there as we finished up to hear them gives you a little boost of energy."

"It means the season is coming close," said Carolina defender, Noah Hanifin. "I think we're excited to put together quite a season for all of these fans."

"For us to get close to the ice and see Cam Ward and Noah Hanifin," Sean Mitton said. "He loves it and we're really excited about this year."

Fans said there's a new level of excitement heading into this season.

"The guys have gotten better each year," Mitton said. "They're growing together so I think this year is the year we get into the playoffs."

"The expectations are good," said Carolina coach, Bill Peters. "I would rather have high expectations than none at all. We are all excited about the opportunity we have as a group to continue to get better and prepare for the regular season."

Fans had a chance to watch the team practice but they say the highlights of the day was the autograph session.

"I've been here since 6 in the morning," said Logan Dubin.

How excited was he?

"On a scale of 1 to 10? Probably like and 11," he said.

There was one guy in particular the fans were eager to see.

"Justin Williams," Dubin said. "I have a big plaque for him."

Fans have high hopes for Williams this season

"Him jumping into the glass when they scored the insurance goal in the Stanley Cup, you never forget that," Mitton said. "I think he'll bring a great feeling back into the clubhouse."

"Man, he was my favorite, one of my favorite all time players during the Stanley Cup run," said Greene. "It's a huge, huge thing to have him back."