These are just some of the accolades that sum up the career of Eric Staal, who earlier today signed a one-day contract with the Carolina Hurricanes in order to retire with the team that drafted him #2 in 2003. They will also be retiring Staal's #12 number in a touching tribute.
Staal, the eldest of the Staal Brothers carved out a career with 6 teams most notably with Carolina where he spent 12 years; scoring 322 goals and 453 assists and being named to the All-Star Game six times. He also shined for Canada in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, earning a gold medal after defeating USA 3-2.
Staal then made pit stops in New York for the Rangers, Minnesota Wild (where he spent the second most time of his career), Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers where he potted 14 goals and 29 points in his final season. His best season was right after the lockout, scoring 100 points for the only time in his career along with 28 points in the playoffs for the Cup winning Hurricanes.
He sits atop several Hurricanes record books; he has the most hat-tricks in a season with four, as well as shots with over 3000. He ranks 3rd in games played, 2nd in goals, 2nd in assists, 2nd in points and has cemented himself amongst legends such as Ron Francis and Rod Brind'Amour in the Hurricanes Hall of Fame.
