Jordan Staal

Lore & Background

Jordan Staal grew up playing for the Thunder Bay Kings AAA organization and was selected second overall by the Peterborough Petes in the OHL. After two seasons, he won a J. Ross Robertson Cup and appeared in the 2006 Memorial Cup. He was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006, becoming the second Staal brother in the NHL after Eric. Staal made an immediate jump from junior to the NHL and set several rookie records: youngest to score on a penalty shot, youngest to score two shorthanded goals in one game, youngest to score a hat trick (18 years, 153 days), and most shorthanded goals by a rookie in one season. He was a Calder Memorial Trophy nominee and named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Among Penguins teammates, he was known as 'Gronk', a nickname given by Colby Armstrong referencing a Marvel comic book supervillain. Staal won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009, scoring two goals and an assist in the final series against the Detroit Red Wings. He had lost the 2008 final to the same team. In 2026, he captained the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship and was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP, becoming the oldest player to win the award.

Reader's Guide

Jordan Staal's significance lies in his consistent two-way play and penalty-killing excellence. The article highlights his rookie season records, including youngest hat trick scorer and most shorthanded goals by a rookie. His 2009 Stanley Cup win with the Penguins and his 2026 Conn Smythe Trophy with the Hurricanes mark him as a key contributor on championship teams. The article notes he was a Selke Trophy finalist in 2008–09, underscoring his defensive reputation. His legacy includes being part of the Staal family, with all four brothers playing in the NHL, and his role as captain of the Hurricanes. The article does not provide further details on his later career or other awards.

Did You Know?

• Jordan Staal scored his first NHL goal on a shorthanded breakaway against Henrik Lundqvist on October 12, 2006.
• He set the record for youngest player to score a hat trick at 18 years and 153 days on February 10, 2007.
• Staal scored a shorthanded goal on a penalty shot, becoming the youngest to do so.
• He was known as 'Gronk' among Penguins teammates, a nickname from Colby Armstrong.