From 1 to 1,000: Jordan Staal
1,000 games in the NHL is something only a handful of players have accomplished, but tonight, you can add one more name to that list. Former Pete Jordan Staal (’04-’06) is set to play in his 1,000th career NHL game tonight when the Carolina Hurricanes face off against the Detroit Red Wings.
Staal‘s career started back in Thunder Bay where he played with the Thunder Bay Kings AAA organization until he was drafted 3rd overall in the 2004 OHL Priority draft. Staal would go on to play with the Petes for two seasons, helping the maroon and white capture the J. Ross Robertson Cup and pave a trip to the Memorial Cup in 2006. After playing a total of 134 games with the Petes, Staal recorded 96 points, which caught the attention of many NHL scouts.
After a successful two years with the Petes – it was now time for the pros. Staal was drafted 2nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2006 NHL Entry draft and would make the jump from junior straight to the NHL. Staal caught the attention of the league after a successful junior season that saw him set several NHL records, including youngest player to score on a penalty shot, to score two shorthanded goals in one game, to score a hat-trick and the most shorthanded goals by a rookie in one season. Staal was also nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
High praise for the Captain from an all-time great pic.twitter.com/CH42sNJncA
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 12, 2021
Staal would go on to have a successful career with Pittsburgh, playing with them for 431 games, recording 248 points in the process and would help them in winning the Stanley Cup in 2009. After six successful seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Staal would be traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on June 22, 2012, in exchange for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin, and the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Staal didn’t wait long to make Carolina his home as he signed a 10-year, $60 million contract extension with the team on July 1, 2012.
Staal would play alongside another Pete alumnus in Carolina and someone who just so happened to be his brother, Eric Staal (’00-’03). Jordan would play alongside his brother, Eric until 2015. In 2017, Staal was named a co-captain of the Carolina Hurricanes alongside teammate Justin Faulk, and it wasn’t until 2019 that Staal was officially named captain of the Carolina Hurricanes leading them to the Eastern Conference Finals in the same year.
Petes fans got the privilege of watching Jordan blossom into a top draft pick in the NHL and ultimately a star in the world’s biggest hockey league. Join us in congratulating Jordan on his remarkable achievement!
