(Raleigh) Eric Staal signed a one-day contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday to retire as a member of the organization he was a longtime captain of.
The organization also announced that the No. 12 Staal wore with the Hurricanes will be retired in a ceremony to be held during the 2024-25 season, at a date to be determined.
Staal, 39, ranks first in Hurricanes history (since being traded from Hartford) in goals (322), assists (453), points (775), games played (909), power-play goals (105), power-play points (252) and hat tricks (13).
Staal played in 1,365 regular-season games over an 18-year career that included playing for the Montreal Canadiens for 21 games in the 2020-21 season, when he recorded two goals and one assist.
During that same campaign, he added two goals and six assists in 21 playoff games, helping the Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Staal also played for the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers.
A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Staal ended his career with 1,063 points, including 455 goals. He helped the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006 with a team-high 28 points.
“There was no doubt in my mind that when the time came to hang up my skates, I would want to retire as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes,” Staal said in a statement.
“To know that the team is going to retire my number 12 is a great honor, and I’m extremely grateful,” added Staal, the second overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.