On Thursday night, Jordan Staal became the Carolina Hurricanes’ all-time leader in games played, surpassing his brother Eric. Staal reached this milestone by appearing in his 910th regular-season game for the team.
Staal has been with the Hurricanes for 14 years and has served as captain since the 2019-20 season. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour commented on his leadership, stating, “When you’re trying to think of a guy to lead your group, it has to be a guy that does it. He doesn’t just talk the talk. This guy walks it every day. He makes my job really easy.”
Teammates have also praised Staal’s consistency and influence within the locker room. Jordan Martinook said, “He’s the most consistent player I think I’ve ever been around. Obviously, I get a first-class seat to watch it. He drags me into the fight more than I care to tell everybody, because I know he’s going to be on every single night.” Seth Jarvis added, “He’s the epitome of consistency for our team. Every night, you know what to expect and I think he delivers. That’s something that our team really leans on. That’s probably a big reason why he is Captain… He takes his job seriously. He makes sure everyone is pushing themselves and expects the best out of everybody.”
Brind’Amour further noted Staal’s value: “There’s a lot to admire from a coach’s standpoint. There’s a ton of things. You talk about consistency in people, that’s what he is. The fact that he just does it right on and off the ice. He’s the kind of person you want representing your organization.”
General Manager Eric Tulsky highlighted Staal’s contributions both defensively and offensively: “Jordan has been an incredible leader for this team,” Tulsky said. “His ability to defend against the opponents’ best players every night makes everyone else’s job easier, and his relentless and powerful play down low in the offensive zone sets the tone for our team shift after shift. He makes this team what it is.”
Since joining Carolina ahead of the 2012-13 season, Staal ranks fifth among NHL skaters in faceoff percentage (minimum 10,000 faceoffs), winning 56.1% of his attempts; he is also one of six players to win over 1,000 shorthanded faceoffs during that span.
Martinook remarked on Staal’s calm approach as captain: “It’s nice for a team when your Captain is even-keeled at all times,” Martinook said. “If something needs to be said, he says it, and when he does, it hits home a lot harder than when he’s rah rah all the time. I just love that about him.”
Off the ice, Staal’s impact extends into community service through initiatives such as raising over $5 million via the Staal Family Foundation to support children battling cancer.
Seth Jarvis continued: “The way he’s been able to play at the same level for so long (is admirable). He’s such a big part of our team and contributes in all different ways, whether it’s scoring, defense, faceoffs; it’s really incredible how he can impact a game.”
Now in his 20th NHL season overall—and one of only five active players who have scored goals in each of their first 20 seasons—Staal joins Sidney Crosby (21), Brent Burns (21), Alex Ovechkin (20), and Corey Perry (20) in this achievement.
Brind’Amour concluded by reflecting on Staal’s example: “I appreciate what he’s done for us and this organization (and) what he’s done for me as a coach,” Brind’Amour added. “What he does for our team it’s almost hard to put into words… There’s some things that if it was me, I’d want to be like him, (especially) the way he comes to the rink every day and puts the team first… In today’s day in age, it’s not unique but it’s getting harder and harder to find.”
