Eric Staal, a former NHL all-star, has officially retired after an impressive 18 seasons in the league. The Carolina Hurricanes made the announcement that Staal had signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the team that drafted him No. 2 overall in 2003. Staal also won a Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes three years later.
The Hurricanes have decided to retire Staal’s No. 12 jersey in the upcoming season to honor his contributions to the team. Staal expressed his gratitude towards the organization and the fans, stating that he always felt their love and support during his time in Raleigh.
Throughout his career, Staal played for various teams including the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Florida Panthers. He accumulated an impressive 455 goals and 608 assists over 1,365 games. Staal participated in six NHL All-Star Games and was named MVP in 2008.
One of Staal’s most memorable seasons was in 2005-2006 when he recorded 45 goals and 55 assists, marking the only 100-point season in Carolina Hurricanes history. This achievement helped lead the team, captained by Rod Brind’Amour, to win the Stanley Cup, with Staal assisting on the game-winning goal.
Staal holds numerous franchise records for the Hurricanes, including most goals, assists, points, games played, power-play goals, power-play points, and hat tricks since the team’s relocation to North Carolina in 1997. His brother, Jordan Staal, currently serves as the team’s captain.
Carolina Hurricanes’ general manager, Eric Tulsky, praised Staal for his significant impact on the team, his teammates, and the community during his time in the Triangle. The organization looks forward to honoring Staal by raising his No. 12 jersey to the rafters and celebrating his remarkable career with the fans in North Carolina. Staal’s legacy as a central figure in the franchise’s history will be remembered for years to come.