It amazing to think that while it’s been 18 years since the Hurricanes won the 2006 Stanley Cup, Eric Staal has been playing hockey ever since. The life of a hockey player is such that it’s tough to give the game up, and he had a remarkable comeback story in playing for the AHL, only to see him come back to the big leagues and play in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.
Fans of the Canes know that Staal was supposed to be the bridge from the Brind’Amour era, and in fact was the next captain of the team after the current coach.