Hurricanes retire Eric Staal’s jersey number

Eric Staal’s iconic No. 12 has been raised to the rafters in Raleigh.

Ahead of Sunday’s contest versus the Anaheim Ducks, the Carolina Hurricanes recognized their former captain by raising his jersey number to the rafters at the Lenovo Center.

Staal’s No. 12 becomes the fourth jersey to be retired by the Hurricanes since the franchise relocated to North Carolina in 1997, joining franchise legends Rod Brind’Amour, Ron Francis, and Glen Wesley.

Originally selected second overall by the Hurricanes in the 2003 NHL Draft, Staal spent part of 12 seasons in Carolina, underscored by his sophomore campaign when he led the squad with 100 points counting 45 goals and 55 assists through 82 games before adding another 28 points in 25 postseason appearances en route to the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup championship.

In all, Staal spent 909 career contests with the Hurricanes in which he registered 322 goals with 453 assists for 775 points. Staal remains the Hurricanes’ all-time leading scoring since the franchise’s departure from Hartford.

Staal later saw stints with the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and Florida Panthers, that combined with his time in Carolina that saw him total 1,365 NHL games in which he recorded 455 goals and 608 assists for 1,063 points.

The product of Thunder Bay, Ont. also has an impressive resume in international competition, highlighted by membership in the Triple Gold Club – counting a World Cup championship, Olympic Gold, and a Stanley Cup win. Staal is one of only 11 Canadian players with the distinction.

Staal is the older brother of Hurricanes current captain Jordan Staal, retired rearguard Marc Staal, and former journeyman forward Jared Staal.

For the Hurricanes, the squad enters Sunday’s contest against the Ducks sitting third place in the Metropolitan Division with a showing of 26-15-2 and 54 points.