For hockey fans, a Stanley Cup season is something you feel — in the noise, the crowd, and the shared excitement of the moment. For the Carolina Hurricanes’ Canes Crew, it’s something they help create.
UNC School of Education alums Maya Lin (’23 B.A.Ed.) and Camryn Tuttle (’26 B.A.Ed.) are part of that crew, “a co-ed group of energetic and passionate individuals who represent the best things about Carolina Hurricanes hockey and who entertain the crowd with flags, signs, and chants, engaging with fans to keep Lenovo Center ‘the loudest house in the NHL,’” according to the Hurricanes website.
As brand ambassadors, they bring the same people-first approach they honed in the Human Development and Family Science program into that “loudest house” and to fan events.
Their work on the Canes Crew and within their day jobs both require the same skill: creating environments where people feel supported, seen, and connected.
During the Hurricanes’ recent championship run, that work was on full display. Sellout crowds packed the Lenovo Center and Red Hat Amphitheater, while thousands more gathered at watch parties across the state to cheer on the Hurricanes as they pushed through to claim the Stanley Cup with a 3–0 shutout over the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
For Tuttle and Lin, being part of the Canes Crew during a Stanley Cup–winning season meant contributing to a larger purpose. As Lin shared, she was drawn to the role in part because she was “looking for the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself and to find a sense of community” after graduating.
That sense of purpose only deepened with the win. “I am forever grateful to have been part of a moment that means so much to our community,” Lin said, “and humbled to think I may have played a small role in creating lifelong memories.”
For Tuttle, the experience was just as memorable. “It’s hard to put into words how excited I am to have my rookie year be the first time in 20 years that we’ve won the Cup,” she said. “This has been the best job ever, and winning the Cup is just the cherry on top of a perfect season.”
While their roles on the Canes Crew center on energizing crowds and engaging fans, their work off the ice reflects the same commitment to building relationships and serving the people around them.
At Duke Children’s Campus, an on-campus childcare facility for faculty, staff and students, Lin has spent the past several years leading a classroom of young children, introducing early concepts including literacy, social development, STEM, and creative play.
“I’m grateful for the foundation I gained from the HDFS program, which allows me to see countless opportunities to do what I love,” Lin said. “As I continue through my career, I want to further impact children and families on a larger scale.”
Tuttle graduated from Carolina this spring, completing 335+ hours during a pediatric rehab internship at UNC Health’s Inpatient Acute Rehab facilities during her final semester in the HDFS program. She has since joined The Wonder Lab in Durham — a STEM-focused play space for young children — as a host and assistant educator, where she leads the main play area, supports programming, and helps create an environment where children can explore and learn through play.
“A lot of my [HDFS] classes focused on development and milestones for children and adolescents,” Tuttle said. “Being at the Wonder Lab, I’ve observed many of these milestones and have been able to talk with parents about their child’s development.”
Her work also extends into the community. “I currently run the community service initiative P.A.G.E. Literacy Promotion, working to encourage literacy in elementary-aged children by donating books and reading in classrooms across the state,” she said.
Tuttle’s and Lin’s experiences in the Human Development and Family Science program shape how they approach their work, drawing on what they learned in the classroom and through hands-on experience, whether supporting children and families or helping thousands of hockey fans feel part of something meaningful.
In a season that brought North Carolina together, they helped create moments of connection — in the arena, in their communities, and in the everyday work of supporting children and their families.
