Jordan Staal Achieves Hurricanes Milestone
Jordan Staal set a new record for the most games played as a Carolina Hurricane, appearing in his 910th game and surpassing his brother, Eric Staal. This milestone came during a game against the Minnesota Wild in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Game Highlights and Fight Incident
During the game, Staal was involved in a rare fight with Minnesota Wild's Tyler Pitlick. The confrontation occurred in the first period and caused Staal to miss a significant portion of the match. Despite this, the Hurricanes secured a 4-3 victory.
“I appreciate the boys battling it out for me there. Getting a good memory out of milestone game and getting the two points. It has been a lot of fun with these guys here and all the other teammates I’ve played with, it has been just a joy and blessing and I’m just happy to keep going.” – Jordan Staal
Career Overview
At 37 years old, Staal ranks third in franchise history for games played when including the team's history as the Hartford Whalers. Only Ron Francis (1,186 games) and Glen Wesley (913 games) have played more. Staal began his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played for six seasons before joining the Hurricanes.
Key Game Moments
- The fight with Tyler Pitlick was a notable event in the first period.
- Staal showed concern for injured teammate Jalen Chatfield as he skated towards the penalty box.
- The Hurricanes secured a 4-3 win over Minnesota, adding valuable points to their season.
Jordan Staal’s milestone represents both a personal achievement and a testament to his enduring role as Carolina's team captain.
Author's summary: Jordan Staal became the Carolina Hurricanes' all-time leader in games played, marked by a rare fight and a key victory, underscoring his lasting impact as team captain.