The Hurricanes hosted the first of five HIFE theme nights on February 9. Arguably the month's most prominent HIFE initiative, You Can Play Night promotes inclusivity and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, and celebrates athletes' skills and work ethics rather than focusing on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

For the second year in a row, a number of players chose to wrap their sticks for warmups with rainbow-colored Pride Tape.

The sticks were then signed and auctioned off, with all proceeds benefitting the You Can Play Project, which works to ensure locker rooms and sports venues are safe and free from homophobia.

The team recognized leaders and organizations that provide support for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families throughout the game. Melody Moezzi, an attorney, activist and award-winning author, dropped the ceremonial puck as a representative of Equality NC, the state's largest and oldest organization working for LGBTQ+ equality.

Canes Twitter: https://twitter.com/Canes/status/962128428400029696

My Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelodyMoezzi/status/962467395309883392