Jordan Staal

Early Life and Junior Career

Jordan Staal was born on September 10, 1988, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the third of four hockey-playing brothers. He grew up playing minor hockey for the Thunder Bay Kings AAA organization, honing his skills on an outdoor rink built by his father, Henry. After his minor midget year, Staal was selected third overall by the Peterborough Petes in the 2004 OHL Priority Draft. He played two major junior seasons with the Petes in the Ontario Hockey League, beginning in the 2004-05 campaign. In his second season, 2005-06, he produced at a point-per-game pace with 28 goals and 68 points in 68 regular season games. He added 16 points in the playoffs to help lead the Petes to the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions, earning a berth in the 2006 Memorial Cup tournament. During that season, Staal was also selected to play in the 2006 CHL Top Prospects Game, an event that featured the top draft-eligible players in Canadian major junior hockey.

Going into the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Staal was ranked second among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, behind only Erik Johnson. He was subsequently drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the third of the four Staal brothers to be selected into the NHL. This draft position mirrored that of his older brother Eric, who was also taken second overall in 2003. His successful junior career, capped with an OHL championship, provided a strong foundation for his immediate jump to the professional ranks and the record-setting start to his NHL tenure.

NHL Career with Pittsburgh Penguins

Jordan Staal signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 2, 2006, and made the NHL roster as an 18-year-old for the 2006-07 season. He scored his first NHL goal on October 12, 2006, a shorthanded breakaway marker against New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Merely nine days later, on October 21, he set a pair of NHL records in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Staal became the youngest player to score two shorthanded goals in one game at 18 years and 41 days, and also the youngest to score on a penalty shot. His remarkable rookie season continued on February 10, 2007, when he scored his first career hat trick against the Toronto Maple Leafs, becoming the youngest player in league history to achieve the feat at 18 years and 153 days.

Staal finished his rookie campaign with 29 goals and 42 points, leading all rookies with seven shorthanded goals to set another NHL record. His performance earned him a Calder Memorial Trophy nomination, a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team, and he shared the Penguins' Michel Brière Rookie of the Year Award with Evgeni Malkin. The following season saw a dip in his offensive production to 12 goals and 28 points, but he was a key contributor in the Penguins' run to the 2008 Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in six games. Staal rebounded in the 2008-09 season, posting a then-career-high 49 points. He played a crucial role in the playoffs, scoring a shorthanded goal in game four of the Final, as the Penguins defeated the Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup. His defensive prowess was recognized the following year when he was named a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2010.

Staal's tenure in Pittsburgh was marked by durability and consistency, including a streak of 358 consecutive games played including the playoffs. He scored the last Penguins goal at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena in game seven of the second round against the Montreal Canadiens in 2010. On April 18, 2012, Staal registered his first playoff hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers in a 10-3 victory. During his six seasons with the Penguins, he established himself as one of the league's premier defensive forwards and a core member of a championship team. He formed an effective young nucleus with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin that revived the Penguins franchise.

Captaincy and Championship with Carolina

In a major career shift, Jordan Staal was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on June 22, 2012, joining his older brother Eric. On July 1, he signed a ten-year, $60 million contract extension. His early years in Carolina were hampered by significant injuries, including a broken right leg in a 2014 pre-season game and multiple concussions in 2016 and 2018. Despite these setbacks, his leadership was recognized when he was named a co-captain alongside Justin Faulk on October 5, 2017. At the conclusion of the 2017-18 season, his perseverance earned him a nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. Staal was named the sole captain of the Hurricanes on September 29, 2019, succeeding Justin Williams and following in the footsteps of his brother Eric who had previously captained the team.

Staal reached several personal milestones with Carolina, playing his 1,000th NHL game on April 12, 2021. On April 10, 2022, he scored a hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks, setting an NHL record for the longest span between regular-season hat tricks at 13 years and 142 days. The pinnacle of his Hurricanes career came during the 2026 playoffs. As captain, he led the team to the Stanley Cup Final, tying a historic record by scoring a goal in each of the first five games of the series. When Carolina won the championship in game six, Staal was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. At 37 years and 277 days, he became the oldest player ever to win the award. This victory marked his second Stanley Cup, coming 17 years after his first, which set another record for the longest span between championships for a player.

Following the 2026 championship, Staal signed a four-year, $11.6 million extension with the Hurricanes on June 25, 2023. He captained the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship in 2026 and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs Most Valuable Player. At 37 years and 266 days, Staal surpassed Tim Thomas as the oldest most valuable player recipient. While leading the Final in goals, Staal registered 12 points in the full playoff run.

International Play

Jordan Staal made his international debut for Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Championship. He was named to the team following the Penguins' first-round playoff exit and joined his brother Eric on the roster. In nine tournament games, Staal contributed two assists. His defensive play and two-way ability were assets for the Canadian squad, which went on to capture the gold medal by defeating Finland 4-2 in the final. This experience marked his only major international tournament appearance for Canada, adding a world championship gold to his collection of professional honours and providing an early opportunity to play alongside his brother at a high level of competition.

Playing Style and Career Statistics

Throughout his career, Jordan Staal has been defined as a prototypical two-way centre, combining size, defensive intelligence, and responsible play with underrated offensive skill. He is regarded as one of the premier penalty-killers of his generation, a reputation established from his record-setting rookie season. The following table outlines Staal's regular season statistics over key segments of his NHL career. He made his NHL debut in the 2006-07 season at the age of 18. He completed his rookie season with 29 goals and 42 points for a Calder Memorial Trophy nomination. Staal was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2006 to 2012 before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.

His playoff performance has often improved, particularly in championship runs. In the 2009 Stanley Cup victory with Pittsburgh, he recorded 4 goals and 5 assists in 24 games. His Conn Smythe-winning performance in 2026 featured 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points in 24 playoff games, highlighting his scoring and leadership when it mattered most. These statistics demonstrate his ability to contribute in all situations, from the penalty kill to critical playoff moments, over a very long career.

Personal Life and the Staal Family

Jordan Staal is a member of one of hockey's most famous families. All four Staal brothers have played in the NHL. His older brothers are Eric, a longtime Carolina Hurricanes captain and Stanley Cup winner, and Marc, a defenceman who played for several teams. His younger brother is Jared, who played two NHL games and later became a coach. The brothers grew up playing together in Thunder Bay and have faced each other in NHL competition, with Jordan eliminating both Eric's and Marc's teams in the 2008 and 2009 playoffs. In the summer of 2007, Jordan and Eric were arrested at Eric's bachelor party and charged with misdemeanour disorderly conduct, with Jordan also cited for underage drinking.

Staal married his longtime girlfriend, Heather Dysievick, on June 22, 2012, the same day he was traded to Carolina. The couple has three daughters and a son. Tragically, their youngest daughter was delivered stillborn on February 22, 2018, causing Staal to miss three games. He is a practising Christian and has spoken openly about his faith, stating that it provides him with perspective beyond hockey. In 2012, the Staal brothers founded the Staal Family Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer and their families. Staal's community involvement was further highlighted when he brought the Stanley Cup to the Thunder Bay Pediatric Unit in August 2026, sharing the trophy with young patients and their families.

Honours, Awards and Records

Jordan Staal's career is decorated with team and individual honours, alongside several notable NHL records. His accolades reflect his immediate impact as a rookie, his defensive excellence, and his ultimate success as a leader and champion. He won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. In 2026, he captained the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs Most Valuable Player.

Major Awards and Honours for Jordan Staal include the Stanley Cup, which he won with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2026. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs Most Valuable Player in 2026. Staal was a Calder Memorial Trophy nominee and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2007. He was also named a finalist for the Selke Trophy at the end of the 2009-10 regular season and a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season.

• Stanley Cup Champion (2009, 2026)
• Conn Smythe Trophy (2026)
• NHL All-Rookie Team (2007)
• Calder Memorial Trophy Finalist (2007)
• Frank J. Selke Trophy Finalist (2010, 2024)
• Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy Finalist (2018)
• OHL Champion (J. Ross Robertson Cup) (2006)
• IIHF World Championship Gold Medal (2007)

• Youngest player to score two shorthanded goals in one game (18 years, 41 days. Oct 21, 2006).
• Youngest player to score on a penalty shot (18 years, 41 days. Oct 21, 2006).
• Youngest player to score a hat trick (18 years, 153 days. Feb 10, 2007).
• Most shorthanded goals by a rookie (7 in 2006-07).
• Oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (37 years, 277 days. June 14, 2026).
• Longest span between Stanley Cup championships by a player (17 years, 2 days. 2009 to 2026).
• Longest time between regular-season hat tricks (13 years, 142 days. 2008 to 2022).
• Tied record for longest goal streak in a Stanley Cup Final (5 games. 2026).

These records and awards document a unique career that spanned from a record-setting teenager to a veteran champion. Staal made the immediate jump from junior to the NHL after being drafted and set several NHL records in his rookie season. He later won the Stanley Cup with two different franchises and was named playoff MVP. His career leaves a permanent mark on the league's history books.

Questions about Jordan Staal

How many Stanley Cups has Jordan Staal won?

Jordan Staal has won the Stanley Cup twice. His first championship came in 2009 as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he contributed two goals and an assist in the seven-game final against the Detroit Red Wings. His second championship was won 17 years later in 2026, this time as the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes. In the 2026 final, he led the series in goals and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the entire playoffs, setting a record as the oldest Conn Smythe winner at 37 years and 277 days.

Is Jordan Staal related to Eric Staal?

Yes, Jordan Staal is the younger brother of Eric Staal. They are two of the four Staal brothers who have all played in the NHL. Eric, the eldest, was a longtime captain of the Carolina Hurricanes and won the Stanley Cup with them in 2006. Jordan and Eric were teammates on the Hurricanes from 2012 until Eric was traded in 2016, and they also played together for Team Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Championship, winning a gold medal. Prior to being teammates, they faced each other in the NHL, including in the 2009 Eastern Conference Final.

What NHL records does Jordan Staal hold?

Jordan Staal set several NHL records as a teenager that still stand. He is the youngest player to score two shorthanded goals in one game (18 years, 41 days) and the youngest to score on a penalty shot, both set on October 21, 2006. On February 10, 2007, he became the youngest player to score a hat trick at 18 years and 153 days. He also holds the record for most shorthanded goals by a rookie with seven in the 2006-07 season. Later in his career, he set records for the longest span between Stanley Cup wins (17 years) and, in 2026, became the oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

When did Jordan Staal become captain of the Carolina Hurricanes?

Jordan Staal was initially named a co-captain of the Carolina Hurricanes alongside defenceman Justin Faulk on October 5, 2017. He served in that shared leadership role for two seasons. On September 29, 2019, he was named the sole captain of the team, succeeding Justin Williams. Staal has held the captaincy ever since, leading the Hurricanes through multiple playoff appearances and ultimately to the Stanley Cup championship in 2026, a title he captained them to.

What is the Staal Family Foundation?

The Staal Family Foundation is a charitable organization founded in 2012 by Jordan Staal and his brothers Eric, Marc, and Jared. The foundation's mission is to help improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families. It reflects the family's commitment to giving back to the community, particularly in their home region of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Jordan has been actively involved, including bringing the Stanley Cup to the Thunder Bay Pediatric Unit and Pediatric Oncology Clinic during his championship celebration in August 2026 to share the moment with young patients.

Sources and further reading

• Jordan Staal (Wikipedia)
• Icy Hot, Hot on Ice: Jordan Staal (nhl.com)
• Jordan Staal is signed, sealed and set for a Stanley Cup ... (nhlpa.com)
• Jordan Staal Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Title (hockey-reference.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.