Jordan Staal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jordan Staal
Staal with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013
Born	(1988-09-10) September 10, 1988 (age 37) 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 (stawl; born September 10, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a centre and is the captain for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). People know him as a top player who is great at stopping opponents' scoring chances and playing well on both offense and defense.

In 2007, Jordan made history. He became the youngest player ever to score three goals in one game, called a hat trick. He was only 18 years and 153 days old at the time. He also won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. More recently, in 2026, he led the Hurricanes to another Stanley Cup victory. He was named the most valuable player of the playoffs, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Early Life and Hockey Journey

Starting in Junior Hockey

Jordan grew up playing minor ice hockey in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After his younger years, he was chosen second overall by the Peterborough Petes. This was in the first round of the 2004 OHL Priority Draft. He played two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Petes.

During his second year, he scored 28 goals and 68 points in 68 games. He also added 16 points in the playoffs. This helped Peterborough win the J. Ross Robertson Cup, making them OHL champions. They also played in the 2006 Memorial Cup.

Joining the NHL Draft

Before the 2006 NHL entry draft, Jordan was ranked as the second-best North American skater. The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted him second overall. This made him the third Staal brother to join the NHL. His older brother, Eric, was also drafted second overall in 2003.

Jordan moved straight from junior hockey to the NHL after being drafted. He quickly set several NHL records in his first season.

Professional Hockey Career

Pittsburgh Penguins Era

Rookie Season Highlights

Jordan signed his first professional contract with the Penguins on October 2, 2006. He started playing in the NHL right away at age 18. He scored his first NHL goal on October 12, 2006. It was a shorthanded goal against the New York Rangers.

Later that month, Jordan set two more NHL records. He scored two goals while his team was playing with one less player. This made him the youngest player to do so. One of these goals was a penalty shot. This also made him the youngest player to score on a penalty shot.

Because of his strong play, especially when his team was shorthanded, the Penguins kept him. He joined young stars like Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. They helped bring new energy to the Penguins team.

Staal with the Penguins in December 2007

In February 2007, Jordan scored his first NHL hat trick. He was 18 years and 153 days old. This made him the youngest player in league history to achieve a hat trick. He also scored his seventh shorthanded goal that season. This broke the record for most shorthanded goals by a rookie. Jordan finished his first season with 29 goals and 42 points. He was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy and named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.

Stanley Cup Champion

In his second season (2007–08), Jordan's scoring was lower. However, he was a key part of the Penguins' journey to the 2008 Stanley Cup Final. They lost to the Detroit Red Wings in six games.

The next season, Jordan showed his skill again. On November 11, 2008, he scored his second career hat trick against the Red Wings. He then helped set up the winning goal in overtime. On June 12, 2009, Jordan and the Penguins won the Stanley Cup. They defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a thrilling seven-game series. Jordan scored two goals and an assist in the series. One of his goals was a crucial shorthanded goal in Game 4.

Jordan was known as "Gronk" by his teammates. This nickname came from a Marvel comic book supervillain. His strong presence on the ice earned him this name.

Overcoming Injuries

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Jordan was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy. This award goes to the best defensive forward. He faced some injuries during the 2010–11 season. He had surgery on his foot and later fractured his hand. He returned to play in the NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2011.

On April 18, 2012, Jordan scored his first playoff hat trick. This happened in a big 10–3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Carolina Hurricanes Captain

A New Team and Family Connection

On June 22, 2012, Jordan was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. This was a special move because he joined his older brother, Eric Staal. He signed a ten-year contract with the Hurricanes on July 1, 2012.

Jordan faced some injuries during his time with the Hurricanes. In September 2014, he broke his right leg in a pre-season game. In November 2016 and December 2018, he was diagnosed with concussions. He worked hard to recover and return to the ice each time.

Staal with the Hurricanes in April 2013

Leading the Hurricanes

On October 5, 2017, Jordan was named a co-captain of the Hurricanes. He became the sole captain on September 29, 2019. He led the team to the playoffs in 2019. This was the first time the Hurricanes made the playoffs since 2009.

On April 12, 2021, Jordan played in his 1,000th NHL game. This is a huge milestone for any hockey player. On April 10, 2022, he scored his third regular-season hat trick. This was against the Anaheim Ducks. It set a new NHL record for the longest time between two regular-season hat tricks.

Stanley Cup Victory in 2026

On June 25, 2023, Jordan signed a new four-year contract with the Hurricanes. He continued to lead his team. In the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, Jordan reached his third Stanley Cup Final. On June 12, 2026, he tied a record for the longest goal streak in a Stanley Cup Final series. He scored in five consecutive games.

When the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in Game 6, Jordan was the top scorer in the Final. He had six goals. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs' Most Valuable Player. At 37 years and 266 days old, he became the oldest player to win this award.

International Achievements

Jordan first played for Team Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Championship. He joined his brother Eric on the team. They helped Canada win the gold medal, beating Finland 4–2 in the final. Jordan contributed two assists in nine games.

Life Off the Ice

The Staal Hockey Family

Jordan is the third of four boys born in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He and his brothers grew up playing hockey on an outdoor rink their father built. All four Staal brothers have played in the NHL.

• Eric, the eldest, was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2003. He also captained the Hurricanes.
• Marc, the second eldest, played defense for several NHL teams before retiring in 2024.
• Jared, the youngest, played two NHL games. He is now a head coach in the ECHL.

Jordan Staal (in front) battles for the puck with his older brother Eric Staal (behind) during the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Jordan and Eric played together for Team Canada in 2007. They also played against each other in the NHL. Jordan has even faced Marc's New York Rangers in the playoffs. Jordan became the second brother to win a Stanley Cup in 2009, after Eric won one in 2006.

Personal Beliefs and Charity Work

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 in giving God the glory for his hockey career.

In 2012, the Staal Brothers started the Staal Family Foundation. This organization works to help children with cancer and their families. They aim to improve their quality of life.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

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 Honors

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, 2026
• Conn Smythe Trophy – 2026
• Steve Chiasson Award – 2015, 2018, 2021

NHL Records

• Youngest player to score two shorthanded goals in one game – October 21, 2006, against the Columbus Blue Jackets (18 years, 41 days; surpassed Radek Dvořák of the Florida Panthers; 20 years, 278 days on December 12, 1997)
• Youngest player to score on a penalty shot – October 21, 2006, against the Columbus Blue Jackets (18 years, 41 days; surpassed Nathan Horton of the Florida Panthers; 18 years, 224 days on January 8, 2004)
• Youngest player to score a hat trick – February 10, 2007, against the Toronto Maple Leafs (18 years, 153 days; surpassed Jack Hamilton of the Toronto Maple Leafs; 18 years, 185 days old on December 4, 1943)
• Most short-handed goals by a rookie, in 2006–07 (7 shorthanded goals; surpassed Gerry Minor of the Vancouver Canucks in 1980–81 and John Madden in 1999–2000; 6 shorthanded goals)
• Oldest player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy – June 14, 2026 (37 years, 277 days; surpassed Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins in 2011; 37 years, 62 days on June 15, 2011)
• Longest span between Stanley Cup championships – June 14, 2026 (17 years, 2 days; surpassed Chris Chelios of the Montreal Canadiens in 1986 and the Detroit Red Wings in 2002; 16 years, 20 days)
• Longest goal streak in the Stanley Cup Final – June 11, 2026 (5 games; tied with Cyclone Taylor of the Vancouver Millionaires in 1918, Maurice Richard of the Montreal Canadiens in 1951, Jean Béliveau of the Montreal Canadiens in 1956, and Yvan Cournoyer of the Montreal Canadiens in 1973)

See also

In Spanish: Jordan Staal para niños