Jordan Staal

Jordan Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League, regarded as a premier penalty-killer and skilled two-way forward. He grew up in minor hockey with the Thunder Bay Kings, played two seasons for the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League and was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006. He went straight to the NHL, set several rookie records and in 2007 became the youngest player in league history to score a hat trick. Staal won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009, and in 2026 he captained the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs most valuable player. He is one of four Staal brothers who have all played professionally in the NHL.