Jordan Staal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jordan Staal
Staal with the Carolina Hurricanes in April 2013
Born	(1988-09-10) September 10, 1988 (age 36) Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Carolina Hurricanes Pittsburgh Penguins
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	2nd overall, 2006 Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career	2006–present

Jordan Staal (born September 10, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a centre and is the captain for the Carolina Hurricanes. This team is part of the National Hockey League (NHL). Jordan is known for being a great defensive player and for helping his team when they are playing with fewer players (called a penalty kill).

In 2007, he made history by becoming the youngest player to score three goals in one game (a "hat trick"). He was only 18 years and 153 days old at the time.

Jordan grew up playing minor hockey in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was chosen second overall by the Peterborough Petes in the OHL draft. He was the second of the Staal brothers to join the NHL. His older brother, Eric, was also drafted second overall in 2003. After playing two years in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Jordan was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

He went straight from junior hockey to the NHL. In his first season, he set several NHL records. These included being the youngest to score on a penalty shot. He was also the youngest to score two shorthanded goals in one game. He scored the most shorthanded goals by a rookie in one season. Jordan was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best rookie. He was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

His former Penguins teammates called him "Gronk." This nickname came from a Marvel comic book supervillain. His teammate Colby Armstrong gave him the name because of his strong presence on the ice. Jordan won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009. He scored two goals and an assist in that seven-game series. One year before, in 2008, his team lost the finals to the same Detroit Red Wings.

Jordan is one of four Staal brothers who have all played in the NHL. The oldest, Eric, also played for the Hurricanes and was their captain. The youngest brother, Jared, played his first NHL game on a line with Jordan and Eric. The second oldest, Marc, played defence for several NHL teams before retiring in 2024.

Playing Career

Junior Hockey Years

Peterborough Petes

Jordan Staal played major junior hockey for the Peterborough Petes. He played two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He joined the team in the 2004–05 season. He was picked third overall in the 2004 OHL Priority Draft.

In his second year, he scored 28 goals and 68 points in 68 games. He then added 16 points in the playoffs. This helped the Petes win the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions. They earned a spot in the 2006 Memorial Cup. However, the Petes did not advance past the first round. During the 2005–06 season, Staal also played in the 2006 CHL Top Prospects Game.

Before the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Jordan was ranked second among North American skaters. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him behind Erik Johnson. He was then drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Erik Johnson was picked first by the St. Louis Blues. Jordan became the third Staal brother to be drafted into the NHL. His older brothers, Marc and Eric, were also drafted second overall in their years.

Professional Hockey Career

Pittsburgh Penguins (2006–2012)

The Penguins signed Jordan to a three-year contract on October 2, 2006. He went straight from junior hockey to the NHL in the 2006–07 season. He was only 18 years old. He scored his first NHL goal on October 12. It was a shorthanded goal against the New York Rangers.

Later that month, on October 21, Staal set two NHL records. He scored two goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He became the youngest player to score two goals in a game since 1943. He also scored both goals while his team was shorthanded. This made him the youngest player to score two shorthanded goals in one game. One of his shorthanded goals was a penalty shot. This made him the youngest player to score on a penalty shot.

Even though he was young, the Penguins decided to keep him for the whole season. Jordan, along with fellow rookie Evgeni Malkin, joined superstar Sidney Crosby. Crosby was in his second NHL season. Goaltender Marc-André Fleury was also part of this young core. They helped bring the Penguins franchise back to success.

Staal with the Penguins in December 2007.

In January 2007, Staal played in the NHL YoungStars Game. This was part of the All-Star festivities. His teammates Ryan Whitney and Malkin also played. On February 10, 2007, Staal scored his first NHL hat trick. This was against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He set another NHL record by being the youngest player to score a hat trick. He was 18 years and 153 days old. His third goal was the game winner in overtime.

On March 6, Staal scored his seventh shorthanded goal of the season. This broke the record for most shorthanded goals by a rookie. He finished his rookie season with 29 goals and 42 points. He was second in rookie goal-scoring to his teammate Malkin. He was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Malkin won the award, and Staal finished third. Staal was also named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

In the 2007–08 season, Staal's scoring went down. He had 12 goals and 28 points. However, he was a key part of the Penguins' 2008 playoff run. They reached the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. The Penguins lost in six games. Staal scored 6 goals and 1 assist during these playoffs.

Staal during the Penguins' Stanley Cup parade in June 2009.

At the start of the 2008–09 season, the Penguins and Red Wings played again. The Penguins were down by three goals in the third period. Staal scored his second career NHL hat trick to tie the game. He then helped set up the winning goal in overtime. On January 8, 2009, the Penguins extended Staal's contract. He finished the season with a career-high 27 assists and 49 points. On June 12, 2009, Staal and the Penguins won the Stanley Cup. They beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1. Staal had two goals and an assist in the seven-game series. He scored a key shorthanded goal in Game 4.

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Staal was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. This award goes to the best defensive forward in the league. On April 30, 2010, Staal injured his right leg. He had surgery to fix a torn tendon. He missed Game 2 of the playoffs, which was his first missed game since his rookie season. Staal scored the last Penguins goal at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena. This was in Game 7 of the second round against the Montreal Canadiens.

Staal missed the first month of the next season recovering from foot surgery. Then, he fractured his hand in practice. He finally played his first game of the season on January 1, 2011.

On April 18, 2012, Staal scored his first playoff hat trick. This was in a 10-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. He finished the series with six goals. However, the Penguins lost to the Flyers in six games.

Carolina Hurricanes (2012–Present)

On June 22, 2012, Staal was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins received Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin, and a draft pick. This trade allowed Jordan to join his brother Eric Staal. On July 1, 2012, Staal signed a ten-year contract with the Hurricanes. He had turned down a similar offer from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Staal with the Hurricanes in April 2013.

On September 23, 2014, Staal broke his right leg in a pre-season game. In November 2016, he was diagnosed with a concussion. He had five goals and nine points in 21 games at that time.

Staal was named co-captain of the Hurricanes on October 5, 2017, along with Justin Faulk. At the end of the 2017–18 season, Staal was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This award is given to a player who shows perseverance and dedication to hockey.

In December 2018, Staal had another concussion. He was placed on long-term injury reserve. He had five goals and six assists in 27 games. He returned to play on February 23, 2019. That season, the Hurricanes made the playoffs. They lost in the Eastern Conference Final.

On September 29, 2019, Staal became the sole captain of the Hurricanes. He replaced Justin Williams.

On April 12, 2021, Staal played in his 1,000th NHL game.

On April 10, 2022, Staal scored three goals against the Anaheim Ducks. This was his third regular-season hat trick. It was the longest time between two regular season hat tricks for any player in NHL history.

International Play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	2007 Moscow

Jordan Staal first played for Team Canada at the 2007 World Championships in Moscow. He joined his brother Eric on the team. They helped Canada win the gold medal by beating Finland 4-2 in the final. Staal had two assists in nine games.

Personal Life

Jordan was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He is the third of four boys. He grew up playing ice hockey with his brothers on an outdoor rink. Their father, Henry, built the rink. All of the Staal brothers have played in the NHL. Older brothers Eric and Marc also played in the NHL. Their younger brother, Jared, played two NHL games. He is now a coach for the Savannah Ghost Pirates.

Jordan Staal (centre foreground) fights for the puck with older brother Eric Staal (centre background) during the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Before becoming teammates in Carolina, Jordan and Eric played together once. This was for Team Canada at the 2007 World Championship. They won a gold medal. They also played against each other in the NHL. Jordan has won against his brothers' teams in the playoffs. Jordan was the second brother to win a Stanley Cup (Pittsburgh 2009). Eric won one earlier with Carolina in 2006.

On June 22, 2012, Staal married his longtime girlfriend, Heather Dysievick. They have three daughters and a son.

Jordan is a Christian. He has shared that hockey was a big part of his life, but his faith is what he lives for. He believes hockey is a sport where he can give glory to God.

In 2012, the Staal Brothers started the Staal Family Foundation. This organization helps children with cancer and their families.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005	Canada Ontario	U17	4th		6	3	4	7	4
2005	Canada	U18			5	1	1	2	12
2007	Canada	WC			9	0	2	2	0
2013	Canada	WC	5th		8	1	2	3	4
Junior totals					11	4	5	9	16
Senior totals					17	1	4	5	4

Awards and Achievements

Staal receives the Player's Player Award in April 2010.

• OHL All-Star – 2006
• Played in CHL Top Prospects Game – 2006
• Shared Michel Brière Rookie of the Year Award with Evgeni Malkin – 2007
• Calder Memorial Trophy finalist – 2007
• NHL All-Rookie Team – 2007
• Players' Player Award – 2010
• Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist – 2010, 2024
• Stanley Cup champion – 2009
• Steve Chiasson Award – 2015, 2018, 2021

NHL Records Set by Staal

• Youngest player to score two shorthanded goals in one game – October 21, 2006.
• Youngest player to score on a penalty shot – October 21, 2006.
• Youngest player to score a hat trick – February 10, 2007.
• Most short-handed goals by a rookie in one season – 7 shorthanded goals in 2006–07.