In many ways, it has been the most trying hockey season of Jordan Staal’s life.
Overshadowing anything that has happened on the ice for the Carolina Hurricanes center has been the personal tragedy suffered by Staal and his wife, Heather. Their infant daughter, Hannah, died in February of a terminal birth defect.
Hannah’s death tested their faith, Jordan Staal said. The anguish was deep and the pain has been lasting.
“It has been hard year on and off the ice. Just life in general,” Staal said Friday. “It’s been challenging in many areas. My marriage, my faith, all that, has been challenged.