Hurricanes sign Eric Staal to 1-day contract, announces retirement

Formerly known as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, Eric Staal has officially signed a one-day contract to retire with the team on Tuesday.

The Hurricanes have promptly announced their plans to retire Staal's No. 12 jersey during the 2024-25 season, although the exact date has yet to be determined.

Staal, who helped lead the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup victory in 2005-06, served as an alternate captain from 2007-09 before being named the 13th captain in franchise history on January 20, 2010.

Expressing his gratitude, Staal said, "I am thankful to my family, former teammates, coaches, and staff members who all played a part in helping me achieve my dream of playing in the NHL. The memories and friendships made during my 18 years in the best league in the world will always hold a special place in my heart."

Reflecting on his time in Raleigh, Staal added, "From the moment I arrived at 18 years old, and throughout my 12 years there, I felt the love and support of the fans and organization in a way that will always be cherished. It was always clear to me that when the time came to hang up my skates, I wanted to retire as a Carolina Hurricane. To now also have my No. 12 jersey retired is truly an honor and I am extremely grateful."

Staal, who is now 39 years old, holds the second-highest franchise record for goals (322), assists (453), and points (775) in the history of the Hartford and Carolina Hurricanes, second only to Hall of Famer Ron Francis (382, 793, 1,175). He also played in 909 games with the franchise, ranking third behind Francis (1,186) and Glen Wesley (913).

Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky praised Staal's impact on the team, stating, "Eric is a significant figure in the history of our franchise. During his time in the Triangle, he made a tremendous impact on his teammates, the organization, and the community. We are excited to honor him by raising his No. 12 jersey to the rafters and celebrating his remarkable career, which has meant so much to hockey fans in North Carolina."

Throughout his career, Staal has accumulated a total of 1,063 points (455 goals, 608 assists) in 1,365 games with the Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Florida Panthers.