February 15, 2025
10 memorable moments from Eric Staal’s time with the Hurricanes
NHL

10 memorable moments from Eric Staal’s time with the Hurricanes

Eric Staal

<p>James Guillory-Imagn Images</p>
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Eric Staal

James Guillory-Imagn Images

In 2003, the Carolina Hurricanes had the second overall pick in the NHL draft, selecting Eric Staal of the Peterborough Petes of the OHL.

Staal, a native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, has come a long way since his time in the OHL. He played 18 seasons in the NHL. He took part in the NHL All-Star Game six times, was named to the NHL’s second All-Star team in 2005/06 and, last but not least, was Stanley Cup winner in 2006.

With that in mind, let’s take a look back at 10 highlights from Staal’s career in the Hurricanes jersey, which was retired on January 12th.

10. First NHL goal

On October 23, 2003, Staal faced off against the Boston Bruins in a 2-on-1 matchup with Jeff O’Neill. O’Neill faked a shot at Bruins goaltender Andrew Raycroft and then pushed the puck to Staal. Staal put the puck in the net to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead. The Canes won the game 2-0, with Staal also receiving an assist on the second goal, not only notching his first multi-point game ever in the NHL, but also scoring his first game-winning goal in the major leagues.

9. First NHL hat trick

On October 28, 2005, the Hurricanes played the Philadelphia Flyers in a game where it seemed like the score would never end that night. That was in part because Staal scored his first-ever NHL hat trick, helping the Hurricanes beat the Flyers 8-6. Remarkable that evening: 11 players had multi-point games on both teams.

8. Six-point game against the Lightning

On March 7, 2009, the Tampa Bay Lightning played against the Carolina Hurricanes. Staal was fairly well represented on the scoresheet, scoring four goals and two assists for six points, resulting in a stunning victory for the Hurricanes, who ultimately won the game by a 9-3 margin.

7. Staal named NHL All-Star Game MVP

On January 27, 2008, the 56th edition of the NHL All-Star Game took place in Atlanta, Georgia. The best players in the Eastern Conference competed against the best players in the Western Conference. Staal scored the decisive goal towards the end of the third period and also set up Marc Savard’s decisive goal with 21 seconds to play. Staal scored three points in the game and was named MVP.

6. Passes Rod Brind’Amour for most playoff goals in franchise history

In Game 4 of a second-round series against the Bruins during the 2009 playoffs, Staal grabbed a loose puck off the boards, stormed into the offensive zone and scored from an impressive angle. With this tally, he surpassed Rod Brind’Amour and set the all-time playoff goals record in franchise history.

5. Play with brothers Jared and Jordan

On April 25, 2013, the Hurricanes hosted the New York Rangers. Even though the Rangers won in overtime to clinch a playoff spot, all that could be talked about was that the three Staal brothers (Eric, Jordan and Jared) started the game together on the same line and the photo of the three of them The image of them standing on the blueline during the national anthem will go down in NHL history as one of the coolest images of all time.

4. Staal sends the Devils packing

On April 28, 2009, in Game 7 of their first-round series against New Jersey, the Hurricanes trailed 3-2 late in the third period. With just over a minute to play, Jussi Jokinen made it 3-3, and then with about 30 seconds left, Staal came down the right wing and fired a quick shot to beat Martin Brodeur’s great blocking side sent the Devils onto the golf course, which pushed the Hurricanes into the next round of the playoffs.

3. Becomes 13th captain in franchise history

On January 20, 2010, then-GM Jim Rutherford made the difficult decision to relieve former captain Brind’Amour of his duties and handed the “C” to Staal, who became the 13th captain in franchise history.

2. Earns 100 points in his second season

In the 2005-06 season, right after the NHL’s one-year lockout in 2004-05, not many people expected Staal to have the best season of his career. In all 82 regular season games, he scored 45 goals and 55 assists for 100 points.

1. Leads Hurricanes to 2006 Stanley Cup

June 19, 2006 was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Edmonton Oilers and Hurricanes competed to see who would win the Cup when the final siren sounded. Late in the game, with 1:08 left in the third period, the Hurricanes led 2-1 and the Oilers had an empty net. The puck came off the boards and Staal took it and without hesitation passed it to his teammate Justin Williams, nicknamed “Mr. Game 7′, who had a free shot at the empty goal and blasted it straight down the middle to secure not only the victory for the Canes, but also the franchise’s first and only Stanley Cup.

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