The Hockey News – Champions 2026

Summary

Ryan Kennedy's Champions 2026 collector's issue from The Hockey News, Vol. 79 No. 12, crowns the Carolina Hurricanes after a 16-3 playoff run and names Jordan Staal the Conn Smythe Trophy winner at 37 — the oldest playoff MVP in NHL history and the longest gap between titles at 17 years. The 114-page issue also covers the top 10 NHL moments of the 2025-26 season.

Kennedy's "First Word" column frames Staal's achievement: he scored in each of the first five games of the Final — a feat last managed by Jean Beliveau in 1956 — and won 57% of his playoff faceoffs while shadowing the opposition's top line. The cover story "Raising Canes" on page 34 by Kennedy details Carolina's postseason dominance, Taylor Hall's long-awaited first ring, and the emergence of forwards Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven. Ken Campbell profiles Ben Fanelli on page 102, tracing how a coach's advice led him into mental-health work with players. The issue includes a publisher's note on True Hockey's acquisition of Pro's Choice — the mask maker used by over 50% of NHL goalies — plus fantasy focus, an in-memoriam section for Cliff Fletcher and Claude Lemieux, and a "Last Word" on Hockey Canada's medal-less year. Ryan Kennedy edits with art director Shea Berencsi.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story / Hurricanes

p.34 · Raising Canes
Ryan Kennedy chronicles Carolina's 16-3 playoff run. Taylor Hall finally gets his ring after a career of near-misses. Young forwards Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven emerge as difference-makers. The article connects the dots between team construction and playoff execution.

p.7 · The First Word: Staal Pulls Complete Conn Job
Staal's Conn Smythe case in 500 words. Oldest winner at 37, longest gap between titles at 17 years, first to score in five straight Final games since Beliveau 70 years ago. Rod Brind'Amour quoted: "We don't win that Cup without him."

▸ NHL Moments

p.28 · Top 10 NHL Moments
The 2025-26 season's defining events, ranked. The Olympic tournament and a wave of young stars reshaped the hockey landscape.

▸ Columns / Features

p.102 · Ben Fanelli
Ken Campbell profiles how a coach's advice redirected Fanelli toward helping players with mental health. A feature that dodges the usual hockey-jock cliches.

p.9 · Publisher's Note: One of a Kind Goalie
Graeme Roustan on True Hockey's acquisition of Pro's Choice — the mask brand worn by over 50% of NHL goalies. Dom Malerba's origin story (a Boston goalie who built his own mask after being ghosted by a supplier) is the most interesting business story in the issue.

p.114 · The Last Word
Kennedy on Canada's medal-less year on the world stage. Direct and uncomfortable — exactly what a national hockey magazine should say.

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Editor's Take

This is what a championship commemorative should be: focused on the winner, generous with access, and unafraid to use its column space for actual commentary. Kennedy's editorial voice gives the issue an identity beyond the Hurricanes coverage — the "Last Word" on Canada's failures is properly critical. The Pro's Choice/True Hockey acquisition story in the publisher's note is an unexpected gearhead delight. But the issue commits a common commemorative sin: the team roster pages on pages 8-23 are essentially a programme, not a magazine feature. The Ben Fanelli profile, while worthy, sits oddly in a championship issue celebrating the winners. Best for: Hurricanes fans who want a permanent record of the run, plus any hockey reader who appreciates a magazine that prints opinions, not just facts.

Strengths
• Staal spotlight is historically grounded
• Pro's Choice business story is genuinely interesting
• Last Word column takes a real stance on Canada

Weaknesses
• Roster section reads more like a game program than magazine content
• Fanelli profile feels misplaced in a championship issue

Verdict: Essential — The definitive Canes championship record, with editorial bite beyond the trophy photos.