*Photo from Spectrum News*
Forward Eric Staal signed a one day contract with the Carolina Hurricanes to retire as a member of the team for which he played 12 of his 18 seasons in the NHL.
At the same time, the Hurricanes announced his number 12 will be retired and raised to the PNC arena rafters at a date to be determined in the coming season. Staal was the captain of the Hurricanes until the 2015-2016 season, when he was traded to the New York Rangers in the middle of the year.
Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky said in a statement "Eric is a uniquely central figure in franchise history. Throughout his time in the Triangle, he made an immeasurable impact on his teammates, the organization and the community. We look forward to raising number 12 to the rafters and celebrating the career of a man who has meant so much to hockey fans in North Carolina."
Staal last played in the 2022-2023 season, suiting up for the Florida Panthers. He ended the season with 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points, averaging 14:14 of ice time per game to go with a -5 rating in 72 games. He added two goals and 3 assists in 21 playoff games.
From 2009-2010 until he was traded, Staal served as the captain of the Hurricanes, succeeding Rod Brind'Amour. After the trade, the team went without a captain for the year before Jordan Staal and Justin Faulk were captains in 2017-2018. After Justin Williams was captain in 2018-2019, Jordan Staal became captain in 2019-2020 and remains the captain now.
Staal is tops in team history in games played with 909, goals with 322, assists with 453, and points with 775 since the team relocated from Hartford. He averaged a point per game in the playoffs, second in franchise history behind Cory Stillman among players to play in at least 20 playoff games.
His brothers Jordan, Jared, and Marc all had NHL careers. Jordan, Jared, and Eric started on the same line for the Hurricanes in 2013. He played in the NHL All Star Game 6 times and won MVP of the game in 2008. He's won a Stanley Cup plus gold medals in the Olympics and World Championships.
Staal said in a statement "From the time I arrived in Raleigh at 18 years old and throughout my 12 years there, I felt the love and support of the fans and organization in a way that will always feel special to me. There was no doubt in my mind that when it became time to hang up my skates, I would want to retire as a Carolina Hurricane. To now also know that the team is retiring my No. 12 is truly humbling and I am extremely grateful and honored."
In 18 seasons in the league, Staal played for the Hurricanes, Panthers, Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, and Buffalo Sabres. He has 455 goals and 608 assists for 1,063 points, averaging 19:07 of ice time per game while posting a -83 rating in 1,365 regular season games.
Staal has played in the playoffs in 8 of his 18 seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in 2005-2006 and coming up just short in 2022-2023. He has 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points, averaging 16:25 of ice time per game in 104 playoff games.
When Staal has his number retired, he'll be the 4th player with his number retired in Hurricanes/Whalers history. Rod Brind'Amour, Ron Francis, and Glen Wesley are the 3 with their numbers currently retired.
Comments
Post a Comment