Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Eric Staal

How Eric Staal built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Eric Staal is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He played 18 seasons in the NHL for multiple teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, and Minnesota Wild. Notably, he is the eldest of the four Staal brothers, all of whom have played in the NHL.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: All-Ontario Championship

In 1999-2000 season, Eric Staal led his Bantam team to an All-Ontario Championship.

2000: Drafted by Peterborough Petes

In 2000, Eric Staal was selected in the first round, 13th overall, in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection by the Peterborough Petes.

2003: NHL Draft

In 2003, Eric Staal was selected second overall in the NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.

2004: Played for Lowell Lock Monsters

During the 2004-05 NHL lockout season, Eric Staal played for the Lowell Lock Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Hurricanes.

2004: YoungStars Game Appearance

In 2004, Eric Staal played in the YoungStars Game as part of the NHL All-Star festivities.

2005: NHL Offensive Player of the Week

In 2005, Eric Staal was named NHL Offensive Player of the Week of October 23–30, the same week in which he scored his first career hat-trick, coming against the Philadelphia Flyers.

July 1, 2006: Contract Extension with Hurricanes

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

2006: Named to taxi squad for Winter Olympics

In 2006, Eric Staal was named only for Canada's taxi squad for the Winter Olympics.

2006: Stanley Cup Win

In 2006, Eric Staal won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes.

2007: All-Star Game Appearance

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

2007: World Championships Gold Medal

In 2007, Eric Staal received his first call to Team Canada for the World Championships in Moscow and won a gold medal.

January 27, 2008: NHL All-Star Game MVP

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

September 11, 2008: Contract Extension

On September 11, 2008, Eric Staal signed a seven-year, $57.75 million extension with the Hurricanes, which was to begin in the 2009–10 season.

2008: World Championships Silver Medal

In 2008, Eric Staal was back with Team Canada at the World Championships in Quebec City, winning a silver medal.

2008: Last 40-goal season before 2017-18

The 2008-09 season was the last time Eric Staal had a 40+ goal season before his 2017-18 season.

April 28, 2009: Series-Winning Goal

On April 28, 2009, Eric Staal scored the series-winning goal with 31.7 seconds remaining in Game 7 of Carolina's first-round series of the 2009 playoffs against the New Jersey Devils.

May 8, 2009: Eclipsed Franchise Post-Season Points Record

On May 8, 2009, Eric Staal scored twice to earn 40 career post-season points, eclipsing Ron Francis' franchise mark of 39.

July 1, 2009: Restricted Free Agent

On July 1, 2009, Eric Staal was slated to become a restricted free agent but had already signed an extension.

January 20, 2010: Named Team Captain

On January 20, 2010, Eric Staal was named team captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, replacing Rod Brind'Amour.

2010: Winter Olympics Gold Medal

In 2010, Eric Staal was selected for the Canadian team at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, winning a gold medal.

January 18, 2011: Named All-Star Game Captain

On January 18, 2011, Eric Staal was named one of two team captains for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, held in the Hurricanes' home city of Raleigh.

2012: Staal Family Foundation Created

In 2012, the Staal Brothers created the Staal Family Foundation.

2013: World Championship Injury

In 2013, at the World Championships in Stockholm, Eric Staal was injured in the first period of the quarter-finals.

February 28, 2016: Traded to New York Rangers

On February 28, 2016, Eric Staal was traded to the New York Rangers from the Carolina Hurricanes.

July 1, 2016: Signed with Minnesota Wild

On July 1, 2016, Eric Staal signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Wild as a free agent.

March 19, 2017: 1,000th Game

On March 19, 2017, Eric Staal played his 1,000th NHL game.

2017: Second-round draft pick

In 2017, Eric Staal was part of a trade for the New York Rangers involving a second-round draft pick.

February 25, 2019: Contract Extension with the Wild

On February 25, 2019, Eric Staal agreed to a two-year, $6.5 million extension with the Minnesota Wild.

December 15, 2019: Scored 1000 Career Points

On December 15, 2019, Eric Staal became the 89th player all-time to score 1000 career points.

September 16, 2020: Traded to Buffalo Sabres

On September 16, 2020, Eric Staal was traded by the Minnesota Wild to the Buffalo Sabres.

2020: Pride-themed jersey

During the 2020-21 NHL season, Eric Staal did wear a Pride-themed jersey as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

March 26, 2021: Traded to Montreal Canadiens

On March 26, 2021, Eric Staal was traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the Montreal Canadiens.

2021: Pride-themed jersey

During the 2020-21 NHL season, Eric Staal did wear a Pride-themed jersey as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

2021: Unsigned Free Agent

In 2021, as a free agent from the Canadiens, Eric Staal remained unsigned leading into the 2021–22 season.

January 13, 2022: Signed with Iowa Wild

On January 13, 2022, Eric Staal resumed his professional career by agreeing to a professional try-out contract with the Iowa Wild of the AHL.

January 23, 2022: Released from Iowa Wild tryout

On January 23, 2022, Eric Staal was released from his professional tryout with the Iowa Wild.

July 2022: Signed with Florida Panthers

In July 2022, Eric Staal signed a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the Florida Panthers.

2022: Captained Team Canada

In 2022, Eric Staal captained Team Canada to a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

July 30, 2024: Signed One-Day Contract and Retired

On July 30, 2024, Eric Staal signed a one-day contract with the Carolina Hurricanes and retired from professional hockey.

Mentioned in this timeline

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The Montreal Canadiens nicknamed the Habs are a professional ice...

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Iowa situated in the upper Midwestern United States is bordered...