"It's going to be incredible" - John Isner excited for hometown NHL hockey team's first outdoor game

American tennis pro John Isner, who is also an avid Carolina Hurricanes fan, is ready to attend his favorite team's first outdoor game when they host the Washington Capitals in the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday.

Isner, who was born in Greensboro, North Carolina and has been playing fantasy hockey for years, sat down with hosts Pete Jensen and Nick Alberga in the latest episode of "NHL Fantasy on Ice.

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"It's huge for the team, and, yes, I have been a follower since 1997, when they moved to North Carolina (from Hartford, Connecticut)," Isner said. "Obviously with how good the team is -- in my estimation, one of the top three or four favorites to win it all, the community is rallying behind them, selling out every single game."

Isner discussed fantasy and betting trends around the NHL, as well as which cross-sport athletes he compares elements of his athleticism to, including Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals and Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres.

The show also covered other topics including his favorite place in the world to play tennis, his confidence in the Hurricanes' goalie trio of Frederik Andersen, Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov, potential moves leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline on March 3, a time when coach Rod Brind'Amour reached out to give him some motivation and more.

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Isner said he plans to catch up with his friend and former Hurricanes player Justin Williams, who won the Stanley Cup three times (including when Carolina won the championship in 2006), during the trip to Raleigh for the Stadium Series and set the scene for the atmosphere, tailgating scene and his favorite things to do in the area.

"The tailgate outside PNC Arena, even for a normal game on a Tuesday night, is very, very special -- and now you bring the game over to the college football stadium, it's going to be incredible," Isner said. "The (Hurricanes fans) will be getting there at 9 or 10 in the morning with the barbecues."