Beyond the ‘C’: The Story of Eric Staal
April 5, 2012; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal (12) against the Montreal Canadiens at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Canadiens 2-1 in the shoot out. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-US PRESSWIRE
AGE |
27
HEIGHT
6’ 4”
WEIGHT
205 lbs.
POSITION
Center
DRAFTED
2nd Overall in 2003.
Eric Staal is one of my favorite captains in the league. He happens to have a similar life as I do. He has two other brothers in the NHL, Marc (New York Rangers) and Jordan (Carolina Hurricanes). I’ve been a Jordan Staal fan since he was drafted into the NHL. Sadly, I have his Pittsburgh Penguins jersey. But my older brother Derek is like Eric, I would be Marc (even though I prefer Jordan), and my younger brother Devin would be Jordan. Even though there is a fourth brother, Jared Staal, I don’t consider him until he plays in the NHL. This is Beyond the ‘C’: The Story of Eric Staal.
Eric was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He grew up playing hockey in his hometown. After leading his AAA Bantam team to an All-Ontario Championship in 2000, he was selected 13th overall in the 2000 OHL Priority Selection by the Peterborough Petes. Showing he could play in the NHL, Staal recorded 98 points in 66 OHL games the season before the draft. This made Carolina draft him just 2nd overall, behind Marc-Andre Fleury.
After being drafted, he jumped right into the NHL. He was moved to the AHL during the NHL lockout to play with the Lowell Lock Monsters. He recorded 77 points in 77 games that season. He had what is still his known as his career season the season after the lockout. He recorded a career high 45 goals, 55 assists, and 100 points. That same year, he totaled 28 points (leading the Hurricanes) in the playoffs, where he helped the team win the Stanley Cup.
On September 11th, 2008, Eric signed with the Hurricanes a new 7 year, $57.5 million deal. The contract didn’t take into effect until the 2009-10 season. On January 10th, 2010, Eric Staal replaced Rod Brind’Amour as team captain, becoming the 5th captain of the Carolina Hurricanes organization since they moved to Raleigh, North Carolina.
April 5, 2012; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal (12) scores the game winner in the shootout against the Montreal Canadiens goalie Peter Budaj (30) at the PNC center. The Hurricanes defeated the Canadiens 2-1 in the shoot out. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-US PRESSWIRE
Record Case:
Eric Staal only holds one NHL record, but also has two Hurricanes records. He has recorded the most hat tricks in a single season. In the 2008-09 season, he recorded 4 hat tricks. He has recorded the most hat tricks in a season in the Hurricanes organization. I’m sure you could guess what year and how many. It’s pretty obvious. He also has the record for most career post-season points in the organization with 43. He has a few more tricks up his sleeve for a young 27-year-old.
Closing Argument:
Like I said earlier, I like the Staal’s. Even though I prefer Jordan over Eric, as long as they are playing on the same team, I’m alright with it. I think the Hurricanes are looking to win another Stanley Cup soon, since they just brought Jordan Staal and Alex Semin on board, and they re-signed Jeff Skinner. All I know is, they are going to be a force to reckon with for sure.