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| Eric STAAL (STAHL, AIR-ihk) |
Carolina Hurricanes |
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Center. Shoots left. 6'4", 205 lbs. Born, Thunder Bay, Ont., October 29, 1984.
Carolina's 1st choice, 2nd overall, in 2003 Entry Draft.
2007-08 Statistics as of Jan. 24/08: 52 GP – 27 G – 21 A – 48 Pts. – 22 PIM
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Staal is the first Hurricane to be named as an All-Star in consecutive years since the team moved from Hartford to Carolina. Kevin Dineen was the last player in the franchise to do so, when he made the team in 1987, 1988, and 1989 as a Whaler.
Staal was near the top of most offensive categories for the Hurricanes in 2006-07, ranking third in goals (30), third in assists (40), third in points (70), tied for first in power-play goals (12) and first in shots (288). During Carolina's Stanley Cup run in 2006, Staal became the second-youngest playoff scoring leader in the League's modern era with 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 25 games. The only one younger than Staal (21 years, eight months) was Detroit's Gordie Howe in 1949 (21 years, 16 days).
Named an alternate captain for the Hurricanes prior to the season.
Staal played in his 218th consecutive regular-season game for Carolina Jan. 10 against New Jersey, matching the second-longest games played streak in franchise history (Pat Verbeek, Feb. 27, 1992-March 22, 1995).
The Staals (Eric, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jordan and New York Rangers defenseman Marc) are the first trio of brothers to appear in the NHL in the same season since Kevin Miller (Islanders), Kelly Miller (Washington) and Kip Miller (Pittsburgh) did it in the 1998-99 campaign. In all, 47 families have contributed at least three brothers to NHL rosters. The youngest Staal brother, 17-year-old Jared, is a forward with the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League. Jared is ranked 32nd among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting Service's mid-season rankings of 2008 Entry Draft prospects.
Staal is the cover boy for Electronic Arts' "NHL 08" video game.
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