Editing Eric Staal

{{short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1984)}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Eric Staal
| image = Eric Staal 2013-2.jpg
| caption = Staal with the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in 2013
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|10|29}}
| birth_place = [[Thunder Bay]], Ontario, Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 195
| position = [[Centre (ice hockey)|Centre]]
| shoots = Left
| league = [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| played_for = [[Carolina Hurricanes]]<br />[[New York Rangers]]<br />[[Minnesota Wild]]<br />[[Buffalo Sabres]]<br />[[Montreal Canadiens]]<br />[[Florida Panthers]]
| ntl_team = CAN
| draft = 2nd overall
| draft_year = 2003
| draft_team = [[Carolina Hurricanes]]
| career_start = 2003
| career_end = 2023
}}
'''Eric Craig Staal''' (born October 29, 1984) is a Canadian former professional [[ice hockey]] [[Centre (ice hockey)|centre]] who played eighteen seasons in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) for the [[Carolina Hurricanes]], [[New York Rangers]], [[Minnesota Wild]], [[Buffalo Sabres]], [[Montreal Canadiens]], and [[Florida Panthers]]. Eric is the oldest of the [[Staal brothers]], who include former teammates [[Marc Staal|Marc]], [[Jordan Staal|Jordan]], and [[Jared Staal|Jared]].

Staal is a member of the [[Triple Gold Club]], having won the [[Stanley Cup]] with the Hurricanes in [[2006 Stanley Cup Finals|2006]], and both the [[2007 Men's Ice Hockey World Championships|2007 World Championships]] and the [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2010 Winter Olympics]] with [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Team Canada]].

==Early life==
Staal was born in [[Thunder Bay]], [[Ontario]], the son of [[sod]] farmers Henry and Linda Staal. All four of his grandparents were [[Dutch people|Dutch]] immigrants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://frankkuin.com/en/2007/02/26/staal-bros/|title=Hockey's Staal brothers powered to NHL stardom by Dutch soup {{!}} Correspondent Frank Kuin|website=frankkuin.com|access-date=July 3, 2017}}</ref> He started playing hockey at the age of four,<ref name=thn>{{cite magazine| url = http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/24543-Eric-Staal.html | title = Eric Staal Q&A | magazine = [[The Hockey News]] | date = March 22, 2009 | access-date = March 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201195556/https://thehockeynews.com/articles/24543-Eric-Staal.html|archive-date=February 1, 2014}}</ref> and along with learning how to operate farming tools he played in a home ice rink with his [[Staal brothers|three younger brothers]].<ref name=espn>{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3723745 | title = Linda and Henry Staal are raising a family of hockey stars | publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = April 16, 2009 | access-date = April 16, 2009}}</ref> His idols growing up were forwards [[Joe Sakic]] and [[Wayne Gretzky]].<ref name=bio/> Staal took his jersey number 12 from what his father wore when he played hockey for the [[Lakehead Thunderwolves]] from 1978 to 1983.<ref name=bio/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://m.theglobeandmail.com/sports/where-hockey-players-grow/article780241/?service=mobile | title = Where hockey players grow | work = [[The Globe and Mail]] | date = May 16, 2010 | access-date = May 16, 2010}}</ref>

==Playing career==
===Early career===
Staal grew up playing minor hockey in Thunder Bay, played AAA for the Thunder Bay Kings organization and led his Bantam team to an All-Ontario Championship in the 1999–2000 season. After the season, Staal was selected in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2000 [[Ontario Hockey League]] (OHL) Priority Selection by the [[Peterborough Petes]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2000 Priority Selection |url=https://ontariohockeyleague.com/draft/2000 |website=Ontario Hockey League|date=February 28, 2024 }}</ref> While not even his father, Henry, thought he may have been ready for the OHL,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berra |first1=Lindsay |title=Family Values |url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3723745 |website=ESPN |date=September 26, 2005 |access-date=September 26, 2005}}</ref> Staal finished his [[2000–01 OHL season|first season]] with 49 points in 63 games. His scoring totals increased the [[2001–02 OHL season|following season]] when he recorded 62 points.

In his draft year, Staal led the Petes in scoring with 39 goals and 98 points. He was named to the [[Canadian Hockey League]] (CHL) First All-Star Team as well as the OHL Second All-Star Team.<ref>{{cite web |title=OHL Announces 2002-03 All-Star Teams |url=https://ontariohockeyleague.com/ohl-announces-2002-03-all-star-teams/ |website=Ontario Hockey League |access-date=April 24, 2003}}</ref> Staal also skated in the [[CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game#2003 Home Hardware Top Prospects Game|CHL Top Prospects Game]], recording one assist.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fritsche goal caps Cherry comeback in Home Hardware CHL Top Prospects Game |url=https://chl.ca/fritsche-goal-caps-cherry-comeback-in-home-hardware-chl-top-prospects-game |website=Canadian Hockey League |date=January 22, 2003 |access-date=January 22, 2003}}</ref>

===Professional===
====Carolina Hurricanes (2003–2016)====
Staal was selected second overall in the [[2003 NHL Entry Draft]] by the [[Carolina Hurricanes]], behind number one pick [[Marc-André Fleury]]. He played his first season in the NHL right after being drafted. In 2004, Staal played in the YoungStars Game as part of the [[54th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2004 NHL All-Star festivities]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 YoungStars Game rosters |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=1717334 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=January 29, 2004}}</ref>

As the [[2004–05 NHL season|2004–05 season]] was cancelled due to a [[2004–05 NHL lockout|lock-out]], Staal spent the year with the Hurricanes' [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) affiliate, the [[Lowell Lock Monsters]]. He established new franchise records in points (77), assists (51), [[Plus–minus (sports)|plus-minus]] (+37) and 
shorthanded goals (7) in a season, and was also called for the AHL All Star Classic.<ref name=bio>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/ext/staal_mediabio0809.pdf | title = Eric Staal media biography | website = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = March 4, 2008 | access-date = March 4, 2008}}</ref>
[[File:Eric Staal.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Staal with the Hurricanes in 2011.]]
In the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]], Staal scored a career-high 100 points during the regular season and was named NHL Offensive Player of the Week of October 23–30, 2005, the same week in which he scored his first career hat-trick, coming against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]. He then led the Hurricanes in points during the [[2006 Stanley Cup playoffs]] with 28 as they won the [[Stanley Cup]]. After the season, Staal finished fourth in voting for the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]], awarded to the NHL's [[most valuable player]] (MVP). Following the successful season, on July 1, 2006, Staal signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension with the Hurricanes.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=470724 | title = Hurricanes, Staal agree to contract extension | website = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = July 1, 2006 | access-date = July 1, 2006}}</ref>

Staal made his first [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] appearance in [[55th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2007 All-Star Game]] in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]], where he scored the Eastern Conference's third goal. His overall production dipped from the previous season, recording just 70 points.

On January 27, 2008, at the [[56th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2008 NHL All-Star Game]] in [[Atlanta]], Staal recorded two goals and an assist. He was also awarded the MVP award for the event.<ref name = "All-Star MVP">{{cite web |title=All-star game MVP Eric Staal helps set up winner |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/all-star-game-mvp-eric-staal-helps-set-up-winner-1.273235 |website=ctvnews.ca |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=January 28, 2008}}</ref>

On September 11, 2008, Staal signed a seven-year, $57.75 million extension with the Hurricanes, which was to begin in the [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]]. Staal was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2009, but signed despite having one year at $5 million remaining on his former contract.<ref>{{cite magazine| url = http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/17830-Eric-Staal-agrees-to-sevenyear-US57M-deal-with-Hurricanes.html | title = Eric Staal agrees to seven year $57M deal with Hurricanes | magazine = [[The Hockey News]] | date = July 1, 2009 | access-date = May 6, 2010}}</ref>

On April 28, 2009, Staal capped an improbable comeback by scoring the series-winning goal with 31.7 seconds remaining in Game 7 of Carolina's first-round series of the [[2009 Stanley Cup playoffs|2009 playoffs]] against the [[New Jersey Devils]].<ref name=thn/><ref>{{cite web |title=Hurricanes hit Devils hard with two late goals to steal series |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/recap/NHL_20090428_CAR@NJ |website=cbssports.com |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=April 28, 2009}}</ref> His game-winning goal led to the comeback victory being nicknamed “"Shock at the Rock".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Michael |title=This Day in Canes History: April 28 |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/this-day-in-canes-history-april-28/c-316743794 |website=NHL.com |access-date=December 23, 2022 |date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> The Hurricanes went as far as the Eastern Conference Finals, ultimately losing to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].

On May 8, 2009, Staal scored twice to earn 40 career post-season points, eclipsing [[Ron Francis]]' franchise mark of 39.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

[[File:Eric Staal 2013-3.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Staal in warm-ups for the [[Carolina Hurricanes|Hurricanes]] in 2013.]]
On January 20, 2010, Staal was named team captain, replacing [[Rod Brind'Amour]], who was named an alternate captain. Staal became the fifth captain since the team relocated to the city of [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], from [[Hartford Whalers|Hartford]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=514280 | title = Eric Staal named captain of the Carolina Hurricanes | website = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = January 20, 2010 | access-date = January 20, 2010}}</ref>

On January 18, 2011, Staal was named one of two team captains for [[58th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2011 NHL All-Star Game]], held in the Hurricanes' home city of Raleigh.<ref>{{cite web |title=E. STAAL & LIDSTROM NAMED TEAM CAPTAINS FOR 2011 NHL ALL-STAR WEEKEND |url=https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-13520/e-staal-lidstrom-named-team-captains-for-2011-nhl-all-star-weekend |website=National Hockey League Player's Association |access-date=January 18, 2011}}</ref> In the Game, Team Staal fell 10–11 to Team Lidstrom, captained by the [[Detroit Red Wings]]' [[Nicklas Lidström]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Team Lidstrom wins NHL all-star game |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/all-star-game-lidstrom/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=January 31, 2011}}</ref>

====New York Rangers (2016)====
On February 28, 2016, Staal, in the final year of his contract, was traded to the [[New York Rangers]] in exchange for [[Aleksi Saarela]] and two second-round draft picks ([[2016 NHL Entry Draft|2016]] and [[2017 NHL Entry Draft|2017]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/rangers-acquire-staal-from-hurricanes-1.445030|title=Rangers acquire Staal from Hurricanes|publisher=TSN|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-acquire-eric-staal-carolina|title=Rangers Acquire Eric Staal from Carolina|publisher=Blueshirts United|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301234041/http://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-acquire-eric-staal-carolina|archive-date=March 1, 2016}}</ref> Eric joined brother [[Marc Staal|Marc]] in New York, but struggled for the Rangers, recording six points in 20 regular season games, and zero points in a five-game loss to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

====Minnesota Wild (2016–2020)====
During the subsequent offseason, Staal, as a free agent, signed a three-year contract with the [[Minnesota Wild]] on July 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888130|title=Wild agrees to terms with Eric Staal|website=National Hockey League|date=July 1, 2016|access-date = July 1, 2016}}</ref> In his first season with the Wild, Staal recorded 28 goals and 65 points.

The [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]] was a memorable one for Staal as he played his 1,000th game on March 19, 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/eric-staal-1000-games-31817/c-287854594|title=Eric Staal Preps for 1,000th NHL Game|website=National Hockey League|date=December 11, 2017|access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref> and was also invited to his fifth [[NHL All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Kayleigh Jackson |title=Look back: Eric Staal at 2018 All-Star Game |url=https://www.nhl.com/wild/news/lookback-asg-012818/c-295393550 |website=NHL.com |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=January 28, 2019}}</ref> Staal ended the season registering 42 goals, having his first 40 plus goal season since 2008–09.

On February 25, 2019, Staal agreed to a two-year, $6.5 million extension with the Wild.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eric Staal agrees to two-year extension with Wild |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26079649/eric-staal-agrees-extension-wild |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 28, 2019 |date=February 25, 2019}}</ref> On December 15, 2019, Staal became the 89th player all-time to score 1000 career points.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McLellan |first1=Sarah |title=Patrick Kane's hat trick sends Blackhawks over Wild 5-3 at United Center |url=http://www.startribune.com/patrick-kane-s-hat-trick-sends-blackhawks-over-wild-5-3-at-united-center/566230882/ |website=Star Tribune |access-date=December 16, 2019}}</ref>

====Buffalo Sabres (2020–2021)====
After completing his fourth season with the Wild and entering his final season under contract, Staal was traded by Minnesota to the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in exchange for forward [[Marcus Johansson (ice hockey, born 1990)|Marcus Johansson]] on September 16, 2020.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-acquire-eric-staal-from-wild-in-trade-for-marcus-johansson/c-319062200 |title= Sabres acquire Eric Staal from Wild |website= [[National Hockey League]] | date=September 16, 2020|access-date = September 16, 2020}}</ref>

====Montreal Canadiens (2021)====
On March 26, 2021, the Buffalo Sabres traded Staal to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in exchange for third and fifth-round picks in the [[2021 NHL Entry Draft]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Canadiens land Staal from Sabres |url=https://www.tsn.ca/montreal-canadiens-working-to-acquire-eric-staal-from-buffalo-sabres-1.1614010 |publisher=The Sports Network |access-date=November 2, 2021 |date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

====Iowa Wild (2022)====
As a free agent from the Canadiens, Staal remained un-signed leading into the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]]. Harbouring ambitions to represent Team Canada at the [[2022 Winter Olympics]], Staal resumed his professional career by agreeing to a professional try-out contract with the [[Iowa Wild]] of the AHL, an affiliate of former club the Minnesota Wild, on January 13, 2022.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.iowawild.com/news/detail/iowa-wild-signs-forward-eric-staal-to-pto | title = Iowa Wild signs forward Eric Staal to PTO | publisher = [[Iowa Wild]] | date = January 13, 2022 | accessdate = January 13, 2022}}</ref> Staal made his debut for Iowa the following day, collecting a goal and assist against the [[Chicago Wolves]] in marking his first AHL game in over 16 years. In 4 appearances with the Iowa Wild, Staal collected 2 goals and 5 points before he was released from his tryout on January 23, 2022.

====Florida Panthers and retirement (2022–2023)====
Staal did not play an NHL game in the [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22 season]]. In July 2022, Staal signed a professional tryout contract (PTO) with the [[Florida Panthers]], joining along with his brother Marc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marc Staal signs one-year deal with Panthers, Eric Staal joins on PTO - Sportsnet.ca |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/marc-staal-signs-one-year-deal-with-panthers-eric-staal-joins-on-pto/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=www.sportsnet.ca}}</ref> Shortly after that, Staal signed a one-year contract with Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/eric-staal-agrees-to-deal-with-florida/c-336651902|title=Eric Staal agrees to one-year contract with Panthers|website=NHL.com|date=October 22, 2022|access-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref> In March 2023, Eric, along with his brother Marc, refused to wear [[LGBT pride|Pride]]-themed [[hockey jersey|jerseys]] in the pre-game warmups as a part of the Panthers' annual Pride Night; they cited their Christian faith as the reason for their decision and despite that Eric did wear a Pride-themed jersey as a member of the [[Montreal Canadiens]] during the [[2020–21 NHL season]].<ref>[https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/panthers-eric-staal-marc-staal-refuse-to-wear-pride-jerseys-skip-team-warmups/ Panthers' Eric Staal, Marc Staal refuse to wear Pride jerseys, skip team warmups]</ref> The rest of the Florida Panthers team members wore the jerseys during warmups to be later auctioned for charity.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Levesque |first1=Olivia |title=LGBTQ communities 'deserve better' as Marc, Eric Staal refuse to wear Pride jerseys, says Rainbow Collective |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/marc-eric-staal-pride-jersey-rainbow-collective-1.6789586 |website=CBC News |access-date=24 March 2023}}</ref>

On July 30, 2024, Staal signed a one-day contract with the Hurricanes and retired from professional hockey. On January 12, 2025 the Hurricanes retired Staal's number 12,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-12 |title=Eric Staal celebrated before Hurricanes game with number retirement ceremony {{!}} NHL.com |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/eric-staal-number-retirement-ceremony-carolina-hurricanes |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref> joining [[Glen Wesley]], [[Ron Francis]], and [[Rod Brind'Amour|Rod Brind’Amour]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAR Records |url=https://records.nhl.com/car/franchises/carolina-hurricanes/history |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=records.nhl.com}}</ref> in having their jerseys retired.

==International play==
{{MedalTableTop|name=no|File:Eric Staal (4400857316) (b).jpg|200px|Staal at the [[2010 Winter Olympics]]}} 
{{MedalCountry | {{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]] }}
{{MedalSport | Men's [[ice hockey]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[Olympic Winter Games]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2010 Vancouver]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Ice Hockey World Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[2007 IIHF World Championship|2007 Moscow]] |}}
{{MedalSilver | [[2008 IIHF World Championship|2008 Halifax / Quebec City]] |}}
{{MedalBottom}}

Staal received his first calls to [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Team Canada]] for the [[2007 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2007 World Championships]] in [[Moscow]]. Along with younger brother [[Jordan Staal|Jordan]], he won gold in a 4–2 win against [[Finland men's national ice hockey team|Finland]],<ref name=triplegold/> scoring five goals, including the overtime winner in the quarter-finals over the [[Czech Republic national men's ice hockey team|Czech Republic]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/olympics/news/story?id=2861983 | title = Staal's OT goal earns Canada spot in Quarters | publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = May 8, 2007 | access-date = May 8, 2007}}</ref> In the following year, Staal was back with Team Canada at the [[2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2008 World Championships]] in [[Quebec City]], winning a silver medal.<ref name=triplegold/> He scored eight goals in the tournament, four of them in Canada's 10–1 defeat of [[Germany national men's ice hockey team|Germany]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/olympics/news/story?id=3390345 | title = Staal, Canada crush Germany for fifth straight win at hockey worlds | publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = May 11, 2008 | access-date = May 11, 2008}}</ref>

Four years after being named only for Canada's [[taxi squad]] for the [[2006 Winter Olympics]], Staal was selected for the Canadian team at the [[2010 Winter Olympics]] in [[Vancouver]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=511657 | title = Staal excited for Olympics | website = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = December 30, 2009 | access-date = December 30, 2009}}</ref> He became a starter alongside [[Sidney Crosby]] and [[Jarome Iginla]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iihf.com/channels10/olympics-2010/news/news-singleview-world-championship-2009/article/staals-chance-to-make-history.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=3471&cHash=78d8112c78 |title=Staal's chance to make history |website=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]] |date=February 28, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303010838/http://www.iihf.com/channels10/olympics-2010/news/news-singleview-world-championship-2009/article/staals-chance-to-make-history.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=3471&cHash=78d8112c78 |archive-date=March 3, 2010 }}</ref> and scored one goal and five assists on the path to a gold medal. The Olympic title added to previous NHL and World Championship wins, made Staal the 23rd player in the [[Triple Gold Club]].<ref name=triplegold/>

Staal was named captain of Team Canada in the [[2013 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2013 World Championships]] in [[Stockholm]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=422201 | title = Team Canada roster announced for 2013 Worlds | publisher = [[The Sports Network]] | date = May 1, 2013 | access-date = May 1, 2013}}</ref> He would get injured in the first period of the quarter-finals, which Canada ended up losing to eventual champions [[Sweden national men's ice hockey team|Sweden]], after a knee-on-knee hit by defenceman [[Alexander Edler]].<ref name=injury/>

In 2022, Staal captained [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Team Canada]] to a sixth-place finish at the [[2022 Winter Olympics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/winter/hockey/olympics-team-canada-men-hockey-1.6325564|title=Canada unveils non-NHL Olympic hockey roster with pro experience, young talent|date=25 January 2022|website=www.cbc.ca/|publisher=[[CBC Sports]]|access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://olympic.ca/2022/01/25/team-canadas-25-player-mens-hockey-roster-nominated-for-beijing-2022/|title=Team Canada's 25-player men's hockey roster nominated for Beijing 2022|last=Nichols|first=Paula|date=25 January 2022|website=www.olympic.ca/|publisher=[[Canadian Olympic Committee]]|access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Stephens|first=Mike|date=25 January 2022|title=Canada Names Men's 2022 Olympic Hockey Roster|url=https://thehockeynews.com/2022-olympics/canada-names-mens-2022-olympic-hockey-roster|work=[[The Hockey News]]|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada|access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Eric Staal to captain Canada's Men's Olympic Team at 2022 Olympic Winter Games|url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2022-olym-staal-to-captain-mens-team|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.hockeycanada.ca|language=en-ca}}</ref>

==Personal life==
{{main|Staal brothers}}
[[File:Ericstaal 2006nhlawards.jpg|thumb|left|Staal at the NHL Awards in 2006]]
Staal married his longtime girlfriend, Tanya Van den Broeke on August 3, 2007. The couple have three sons.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McLellan|first1=Sarah|title=Hockey-loving Staal children join father Eric Staal to share All-Star experience|url=http://www.startribune.com/hockey-loving-staal-children-join-father-eric-staal-to-share-all-star-experience/471478514/|access-date=February 14, 2018|work=Star Tribune|date=January 27, 2018}}</ref> Staal is [[Christianity|Christian]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pease |first1=Joshua |title=Minnesota Wild's Eric Staal guided by faith as he hits prestigious 1,000-point mark |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/hockey/2019/12/16/minnesota-wild-eric-staal-guided-faith-1000-point-mark/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=December 17, 2019 |access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref>

In 2012, the Staal brothers created the Staal Family Foundation, an organization that tries “to help improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families.”<ref>{{cite web |last1=Doering |first1=Joshua |title=Staal brothers play in same NHL game for 11th time as they live for God |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/hockey/2022/11/10/staal-brothers-face-each-other-nhl-live-for-god/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=November 10, 2022 |access-date=14 June 2023}}</ref>

In March 2023, Staal and his brother Marc publicly declined to wear [[LBGTQ|Pride]] themed jerseys, stating that supporting LGBTQ+ went against their Christian values.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Levesque |first=Olivia |date=2023-03-24 |title=LGBTQ communities 'deserve better,' advocates say after Marc and Eric Staal refuse to wear Pride jerseys |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/marc-eric-staal-pride-jersey-rainbow-collective-1.6789586 |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=[[CBC.ca]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.outsports.com/2023/3/23/23654508/eric-marc-staal-christian-nhl-brothers-refuse-pride-jersey-florida-panthers/ | title=Christian NHL brothers Eric and Marc Staal refuse to wear Pride jersey, ask for 'respect' }}</ref> Fellow NHLer [[Ivan Provorov]] also cited Christian beliefs as his reasoning not to wear Pride jerseys.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-18 |title=Flyers' Provorov boycotts Pride night, cites religion |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35470032/flyers-ivan-provorov-boycotts-pride-night-cites-religion |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Records==
* Carolina Hurricanes' franchise record for most hat tricks in a single season – 4 (2008–09)
* Carolina Hurricanes' franchise record for most career post-season points – 43
* Carolina Hurricanes' franchise record for consecutive games – 349 (2004–2009)<ref name=injury>{{cite web| url = http://hurricanes.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=671233&navid=DL%7CCAR%7Chome | title = Eric Staal Diagnosed with Third-Degree MCL Sprain | website = [[Carolina Hurricanes]] | date = March 2, 2009 | access-date = March 2, 2009}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs===
<small>'''Bold''' indicates led league</small>
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"  bgcolor="#ffffff" |  
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |  
! colspan="5"                    | [[Regular season]]
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |  
! colspan="9999”                   | [[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP
! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]]
! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]]
! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]]
! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP
! G
! A
! Pts
! PIM
|-  
| 1999–2000
| Thunder Bay Kings Bantam AAA
| Bantam
| 59
| 48
| 52
| 100
| 33
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2000–01 OHL season|2000–01]]
| [[Peterborough Petes]]
| [[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]]
| 63
| 19
| 30
| 49
| 23
| 7
| 2
| 5
| 7
| 4
|-  
| [[2001–02 OHL season|2001–02]]
| Peterborough Petes
| OHL
| 56
| 23
| 39
| 62
| 40
| 6
| 3
| 6
| 9
| 10
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2002–03 OHL season|2002–03]]
| Peterborough Petes
| OHL
| 66
| 39
| 59
| 98
| 36
| 7
| 5
| 9
| 14
| 6
|-  
| [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]]
| [[Carolina Hurricanes]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 81
| 11
| 20
| 31
| 40
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2004–05 AHL season|2004–05]]
| [[Lowell Lock Monsters]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| 77
| 26
| 51
| 77
| 88
| 11
| 2
| 8
| 10
| 12
|-  
| [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 82
| 45
| 55
| 100
| 81
| 25
| 9
| '''19'''
| '''28'''
| 8
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 82
| 30
| 40
| 70
| 68
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-  
| [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 82
| 38
| 44
| 82
| 50
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 82
| 40
| 35
| 75
| 50
| 18
| 10
| 5
| 15
| 4
|-  
| [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 70
| 29
| 41
| 70
| 68
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 81
| 33
| 43
| 76
| 72
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-  
| [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 82
| 24
| 46
| 70
| 48
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 48
| 18
| 35
| 53
| 54
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-  
| [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 79
| 21
| 40
| 61
| 74
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 77
| 23
| 31
| 54
| 41
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|-  
| [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16]]
| Carolina Hurricanes
| NHL
| 63
| 10
| 23
| 33
| 32
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2015–16
| [[New York Rangers]]
| NHL
| 20
| 3
| 3
| 6
| 2
| 5
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 4
|-  
| [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17]]
| [[Minnesota Wild]]
| NHL
| 82
| 28
| 37
| 65
| 34
| 5
| 0
| 1
| 1
| 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18]]
| Minnesota Wild
| NHL
| 82
| 42
| 34
| 76
| 42
| 5
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 2
|-  
| [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19]]
| Minnesota Wild
| NHL
| 81
| 22
| 30
| 52
| 34
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20]]
| Minnesota Wild
| NHL
| 66
| 19
| 28
| 47
| 28
| 4
| 1
| 4
| 5
| 2
|-
| [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21]]
| [[Buffalo Sabres]]
| NHL
| 32
| 3
| 7
| 10
| 8
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2020–21
| [[Montreal Canadiens]]
| NHL
| 21
| 2
| 1
| 3
| 2
| 21
| 2
| 6
| 8
| 6
|-
| [[2021–22 AHL season|2021–22]]
| [[Iowa Wild]]
| AHL
| 4
| 2
| 3
| 5
| 0
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23]]
| [[Florida Panthers]]
| NHL
| 72
| 14
| 15
| 29
| 26
| 21
| 2
| 3
| 5
| 12
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 1,365
! 455
! 608
! 1,063
! 854
! 104
! 25
! 39
! 64
! 38
|}

===International===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- ALIGN="centre" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! Result
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | 
! GP
! G
! A
! Pts
! PIM
|-  
| 2001
| [[Canada men's national under-18 ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[Hlinka Gretzky Cup|U18]]
| {{gold1}}
| 5
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 7
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2002 IIHF World U18 Championships|2002]] 
| Canada
| [[IIHF World U18 Championship|WJC18]] 
| 6th
| 8 
| 2 
| 5 
| 7 
| 4
|-
| [[2007 IIHF World Championship|2007]]
| [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[Ice Hockey World Championships|WC]]
| {{gold1}}
| 9
| 5
| 5
| 10
| 6
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2008 IIHF World Championship|2008]]
| Canada
| WC
| {{silver2}}
| 8
| 4
| 3
| 7
| 6
|-  
| [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2010]]
| Canada
| [[Ice hockey at the Olympic Games|OG]]
| {{gold1}}
| 7
| 1
| 5
| 6
| 6
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2013 IIHF World Championship|2013]]
| Canada
| WC
| 5th
| 8
| 0
| 3
| 3
| 4
|-
| [[Ice hockey at the 2022 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2022]]
| Canada
| OG
| 6th
| 5
| 1
| 3
| 4
| 4
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=4 | Junior totals
! 13
! 2
! 5
! 7
! 11
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=4 | Senior totals
! 37
! 11
! 19
! 30
! 26
|}

==Awards and honours==
[[File:Eric Staal's gold (4408001882) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Closeup of Staal's gold medal from the 2010 Winter Olympics]]
{| class="wikitable"
! Award
! Year
! 
|-
! colspan="3" |[[Canadian Hockey League|CHL]]
|-
| [[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]] Top Prospect Award
| [[2002–03 OHL season|2003]]
| 
|-
| OHL Second All-Star Team
| 2003
| 
|-
| [[CHL Top Prospects Game|Top Prospects Game]]
| 2003
| 
|-
| CHL First All-Star Team
| 2003
| 
|-
! colspan="3" |[[American Hockey League|AHL]]
|-
| AHL All-Star Game
| 2005
| 
|-
| Best [[Plus–minus (sports)|Plus/Minus]]
| [[2004–05 AHL season|2005]]
| 
|-
! colspan="3" |[[National Hockey League|NHL]]
|-
| [[NHL YoungStars Game#54th National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL YoungStars Game]]
| [[2003–04 NHL season|2004]]
| 
|-
| [[Stanley Cup]] champion
| [[2006 Stanley Cup Finals|2006]]
| 
|-
| NHL Second All-Star Team
| [[2005–06 NHL season|2006]]
| 
|-
| [[NHL All-Star Game]]
| [[2007 NHL All-Star Game|2007]], [[2008 NHL All-Star Game|2008]], [[2009 NHL All-Star Game|2009]], [[2011 NHL All-Star Game|2011]], [[2018 NHL All-Star Game|2018]], [[2020 NHL All-Star Game|2020]]
| 
|-
| [[NHL (video game series)|EA Sports NHL]] cover athlete
| [[NHL 08|2008]]
| 
|-
| NHL All-Star Game MVP
| 2008
| <ref name = "All-Star MVP"/>
|-
! colspan="3" |[[International Ice Hockey Federation|International]]
|-
| [[Ice Hockey World Championships|World Championship]] gold
| [[2007 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2007]]
| 
|-
| [[Ice hockey at the Olympic Games|Winter Olympics]] gold
| [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2010]]
| <ref name=triplegold>{{cite web|url=http://www.iihf.com/channels10/olympics-2010/news/news-singleview-world-championship-2009/article/triple-gold-for-eric-staal.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=3471&cHash=36aecad3e9 |title=Triple Gold for Eric Staal |website=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]] |date=February 28, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609015357/http://www.iihf.com/channels10/olympics-2010/news/news-singleview-world-championship-2009/article/triple-gold-for-eric-staal.html?tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=3471&cHash=36aecad3e9 |archive-date=June 9, 2010 }}</ref>
|}

==See also==
*[[List of NHL players with 100-point seasons]]
*[[List of NHL players with 1,000 points]]
*[[List of NHL players with 1,000 games played]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Ice hockey stats}}

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{s-start}}
{{succession box | before = [[Alexander Ovechkin]] | title = [[NHL Series|EA Sports NHL Cover Athlete]] | years = [[NHL 08|2008]] | after = [[Dion Phaneuf]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Cam Ward (ice hockey)|Cam Ward]] | title = [[List of Carolina Hurricanes draft picks|Carolina Hurricanes first round draft pick]] | years = [[2003 NHL Entry Draft|2003]] | after = [[Andrew Ladd]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Rod Brind'Amour]] | title = [[Carolina Hurricanes#Team captains|Carolina Hurricanes captain]] | years = [[2009–10 NHL season|2010]]–[[2015–16 NHL season|2016]] | after = [[Justin Faulk]]<br />[[Jordan Staal]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Triple Gold Club}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Staal, Eric}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Buffalo Sabres players]]
[[Category:Canadian Christians]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey centres]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Dutch descent]]
[[Category:Carolina Hurricanes captains]]
[[Category:Carolina Hurricanes draft picks]]
[[Category:Carolina Hurricanes players]]
[[Category:Florida Panthers players]]
[[Category:Ice hockey players at the 2010 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Ice hockey players at the 2022 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Iowa Wild players]]
[[Category:Lowell Lock Monsters players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Minnesota Wild players]]
[[Category:Montreal Canadiens players]]
[[Category:National Hockey League All-Stars]]
[[Category:NHL first-round draft picks]]
[[Category:New York Rangers players]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Olympic ice hockey players for Canada]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in ice hockey]]
[[Category:Peterborough Petes (ice hockey) players]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from Thunder Bay]]
[[Category:Staal family|Eric]]
[[Category:Stanley Cup champions]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian sportsmen]]