Two-time Stanley Cup winner Jordan Staal is looking for another banner season with the Carolina Hurricanes.
As far as relaxing off-seasons go, this one might be among the most rewarding for 38-year-old Staal, who won his second Stanley Cup, and first with the Hurricanes, in June after having played with the team for the past 14 of his 20 seasons.
Beyond the simple pleasures of home, family and well-earned downtime, the respected captain has, in no particular order, enjoyed his day with the Cup, celebrated a birthday and signed a one-year contract extension with the Hurricanes that runs through the 2027-28 season.
“There were some moments throughout the summer where you soak up everything that comes with that time,” Staal told NHLPA.com from his off-season home in Thunder Bay, Ontario. “It [winning the Stanley Cup] does feel like a dream at times.
“There have been moments when I’m working out where you think about all the years just pushing yourself and getting ready for the season. It’s been 17 years since the first one and this one. It’s what you strive to do again and again, and you get emotional thinking about the whole journey to win it and how many times you were close, but for whatever reasons, we weren’t able to get there. To sit back and think about how amazing it was this past season, to do it with that group and how much fun it was – it makes you want to do it again.”
His time with the Cup on Aug. 9 included a visit to the Thunder Bay Pediatric Unit and Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) Clinic, where he gave kids the chance to see hockey’s most iconic trophy from up close.
Other stops with the Cup included a local school, and appearances at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium and the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, both of which drew large crowds.
Staal, who filled the silver bowl with poutine, ice cream and more, was grateful for the opportunity to celebrate with the people, young and old, of Thunder Bay.
“It was such a great day, day and a half,” said the centre, who has served as Carolina’s captain on a full-time basis since 2019, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Eric, who wore the “C” from 2009 to 2016.
“I was fortunate enough to have the Cup that afternoon. I took it straight to my grandma’s place and spent time with her there, which was amazing. It kind of turned into a big party right away. We had a big tent, sort of a wedding-style feel to it, and I had all my family and friends … there were a lot of people. To share it with the people I love the most was a great time.
“And then it was on to the hospital to take photos with some kids, which meant a lot to me, and then at the auditorium, which was a fun time as well. Then it was on to my friend’s restaurant in town, where we had lunch, and then to my childhood rink. The rest of the evening was down by the lake with my family and extended family, just hanging out. I had some time to myself, too, by the lake, which I love, just taking everything in. Having the Cup and Conn Smythe there was pretty incredible.”
The Cup-related content doesn’t end there.
On Sept. 29, Staal and his teammates will raise the championship banner before hosting the Florida Panthers to kick off the NHL season.
“You have all those celebrations around the Cup, but you are champing at the bit to get going again, in between those memories of what you accomplished. Seeing that go up in the rafters is going to bring out a lot of emotions.”
It will also serve as a reminder of what every player in the league wants to achieve.
The second overall 2006 NHL Draft pick for the Pittsburgh Penguins is using last season’s success and off-season celebrations as motivation heading into a fresh campaign.
“That is what I have been telling people. When I won the Cup in Pittsburgh, you want to win it again. I had to wait so long to get there [again] and my goodness, was it a grind to get there. But it was well worth it. That is all you think about it and it doesn’t deter you. If anything, it makes you want it even more. The rest of the guys in that room feel the same way and we are excited to have that challenge ahead of us and enjoy the ride. We’re looking for a Cup and ready to go after it again, for sure.”
