Eric Staal

Infobox Ice Hockey Player

---

image_size = 230px
position = Centre
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 4
weight_lb = 205
team = Carolina Hurricanes
league = NHL
nationality = Canada
birth_date = birth date and age|1984|10|29
birth_place = Thunder Bay, ON, CAN
career_start = 2003
draft = 2nd overall
draft_year = 2003
draft_team = Carolina Hurricanes

Eric Craig Staal (born on 29 October, 1984 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a Canadian ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. He is the older brother of Marc Staal, who is playing for the New York Rangers, Jordan Staal who is playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Jared Staal, who is playing for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Playing career

Staal was selected second overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes, behind Number 1 pick Marc-Andre Fleury. He had played for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL the year before, scoring 98 points in 66 games.

He played his first season in the National Hockey League right after being drafted. In 2004, Staal played in the YoungStars game as part of the 2004 NHL All-Star festivities.

He was named NHL Offensive Player of the Week (October 23-30, 2005). On October 28, 2005, Staal had his first career hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers. He led the Hurricanes in points during the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs with 28 points. Staal was fourth in voting for the Hart Trophy, which is the award for the NHL's most valuable player.

On July 1, 2006, Staal signed a three year, $13.5 million contract with the Hurricanes.

Staal made his first All-Star game appearance in 2007 NHL All-Star game in Dallas, where he scored the Eastern Conference's third goal.

Alongside of his younger brother, Jordan Staal was a member of the 2007 Canadian IIHF World Championship team that won gold in a 4-2 win against Finland in Moscow.

On July 25, 2007, reports surfaced of Staal's arrest after his bachelor party. Early in the morning, on July 21, Eric and his brother, Jordan, along with twelve other people, were arrested after the party in the Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas in Lutsen, Minnesota. Eric spent the night in jail and was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. [cite news| last = Decock| first = Luke| title = Staal, younger brother arrested| url = http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/648918.html| publisher = "News & Observer"| date = 2007-07-25| accessdate = 2007-07-06] In early August, he was offered a deal in which he could plead guilty to disorderly conduct and pay a fine of $587 [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nhl&id=2966424 "Agent: Eric, Jordan Staal offered plea deals in Minn. case"] , "AP", 08 August 2007. Retrieved on 08 September 2007.] , which he later accepted.

On January 27, 2008 at the NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta, Staal recorded 2 goals and an assist. He was also awarded the MVP award for the event.

Staal married fellow Thunder Bay native, Tanya VandenBroeke on August 3, 2007.

On September 11th, 2008, Staal signed a seven year, $57.75 million deal with the Hurricanes beginning in the 2009/2010 NHL season. Staal was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1st, 2009 but signed despite having 1 year at $5 million remaining on his former contract.

Awards & achievements

*2002-03: Top Draft Prospect Award (OHL)
*2002-03: Second All-Star Team (OHL)
*2002-03: First All-Star Team (CHL)
*2003-04: Played in the YoungStars Game (NHL)
*2005-06: Won Stanley Cup with Carolina Hurricanes
*2006-07: Played in his first All-Star game for the Eastern Conference representing the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)
*2007-08: All-Star game MVP
* NHL 08 Cover Athlete

Career statistics

International play

Played for Canada in:

*2007 World Championships (gold medal)
*2008 World Championships (silver medal)

International statistics

ee also

*List of NHL players
*List of NHL seasons
*List of OHL seasons
*List of AHL seasons

References

External links

*hockeydb|55283Navboxes|list1=