Marc Staal
Encyclopedia
Marc Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey
defenceman
and alternate captain for the New York Rangers
of the National Hockey League
. He is the younger brother of Eric Staal
of the Carolina Hurricanes
, and older brother of Jordan Staal
of the Pittsburgh Penguins
and Jared Staal
, who plays in the Hurricanes organization.
in the Ontario Hockey League
where he was the team's captain
, and led the Wolves to their first trip to the OHL finals in 30 years.http://www.behindthejersey.com/2007/05/14/whalers-ohl-champs/ He was drafted by the New York Rangers
in 2005 NHL Entry Draft
in the 1st round, 12th pick overall.
Staal played for Team Canada in the 2006
and 2007 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
bringing home gold both times. He was named the tournament's top defenceman in the 2006 Championships.
Marc and younger brother Jared played together in Sudbury during 2006–07.
On May 7, 2007, the Ontario Hockey League announced that Staal was the recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy
as the OHL's Most Outstanding Defenceman for the 2006–07 season. This prestigious award was previously won by the likes of future NHL players such as Chris Pronger
, Al MacInnis
, and Denis Potvin
. On May 13, 2007, although his Sudbury team lost the OHL Championship
Series to Plymouth
in six games, Staal was named the winner of the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award
, which goes to the league's postseason MVP.
debut for the New York Rangers
and Head Coach Tom Renney
, who would use him in that first season primarily in a defensive role. He would record his first NHL point against the Washington Capitals
on November 1, 2007, when Chris Drury
deflected his shot in for a goal, giving Staal an assist. Staal scored his first NHL goal soon after - on November 14, 2007 - against the New Jersey Devils
at the Prudential Center. His wrist shot from the left faceoff circle sailed over the outstretched glove of goaltender Martin Brodeur
and deflected in off the crossbar. Assisting on his first goal in the NHL were teammates Scott Gomez
and Brendan Shanahan
. During 2007-08
, Staal was one of sixteen rookies selected to participate in the YoungStars competition
at the 2008 NHL All-Star Game
in Atlanta, where he scored a goal and added an assist. Staal finished his rookie season with 10 points on the strength of 2 goals and 8 assists. But more importantly, he established himself as a reliable defender, posting a positive plus/minus rating at +2, as the Rangers qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs
. He saved his best for the playoffs, with his first NHL playoff goal and two assists to help the Rangers defeat the Devils in 5 games during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. The goal was important - in the pivotal Game 4, Staal's slapper
broke a 3-3 deadlock late in the third period and stood to be the game winning goal in a 5-3 victory that gave the Rangers a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. Like his first regular season goal, it also came against goalie Martin Brodeur
. However, despite their win over the Devils in the Conference Quarterfinal, the Rangers would fall to the eventual Stanley Cup
runner-up Pittsburgh Penguins
in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
In 2008-09, Staal improved his offensive output to 15 points, scoring 3 goals and adding 12 assists - all career highs. He returned to the YoungStars Competition
as a sophomore at the 2009 NHL All-Star Game
in Montreal
, and scored two goals. Late in the season, a coaching change led to a more offensive philosophy designed to propel the Rangers into the playoffs. The defensive minded Tom Renney
was replaced by John Tortorella
who encouraged more offense from all of his players, including Staal. As a result, much of Staal's production came towards the end of the season - 6 of his 15 points came after the coaching change, in just 21 games (as opposed to 9 in 61 under Renney). The Rangers would again qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs
on the strength of their strong finish, but this time were defeated in the first round by the Washington Capitals
in seven games after blowing a 3-1 series lead. During the series, Staal would record his second career NHL playoff goal.
In the summer of 2009, Marc was invited - along with his brothers Eric and Jordan - to try out for the Canadian Olympic men's ice hockey team competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics
in Vancouver
. However when the team was named on December 30, 2009, Eric was the only Staal named to the squad. Meanwhile, now in his third year, Staal began to transition into more of a two way role for the Rangers during 2009-10 as the development of his offense continued under Coach Tortorella
. Staal enjoyed the first four game point streak of his career from 11/27/09 to 12/5/09 (1 goal, 3 assists over the span). Though the Rangers would miss the playoffs for the first time in Staal's career, he would establish new career highs with 8 goals, 19 assists, 27 points, and a career best +11 rating during the season. He saved his finest for late in the year, scoring a beautiful coast-to-coast goal against Florida Panthers
goalie Scott Clemmensen
on April 3, 2010 after receiving the puck from teammate Henrik Lundqvist
in the defensive zone. For Staal, it capped a three game goal-scoring streak and ignited a Rangers comeback in an eventual 4-1 victory that kept the Rangers' playoff hopes alive a little longer. The team would ultimately miss the playoffs on the final day of the season, losing a 2-1 heartbreaker in a shootout to the Philadelphia Flyers
, who usurped the eighth and final playoff spot from them for the victory. Staal led all Ranger skaters in ice time during the final game, on-ice for an eye popping 29:16 of the game's 65 minutes of team play and turned in a strong defensive effort, finishing at +1.
In 2010, Marc became a restricted free agent
for the first time. Though negotiations between Staal's camp and New York Rangers
General Manager Glen Sather
were often slow, Marc signed a five-year, $19.875 million extension for the team on September 15, 2010 - comparatively late, but still in time to prepare for the upcoming season. After a strong training camp, Rangers Coach John Tortorella
recognized Staal's leadership qualities in October 2010 by naming him an alternate captain at the young age of 23.
During the 2010-2011 season, Staal was chosen for the first time to participate in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game in Carolina. During the game, he enjoyed a rare opportunity to play on the same team as brother Eric.
and a hard slapshot
that has improved in accuracy since his NHL debut. His improving offense led him to see more ice time on the power play
beginning in the 2010-11 season, where he can apply those offensive skills more directly in the scoring effort. Upon bursting onto the NHL
scene, the New York Rangers
coaching staff primarily used him in a defensive role. However his point totals improved steadily his first few years in the NHL, and each year from 2007-08
to 2009-10 he established new career highs in goals, assists, and points.
Staal is also known for his hard open-ice body checks
. Staal has thrown many hard open-ice hits into well known NHL players, including Sidney Crosby
, Alex Ovechkin, his brother Jordan Staal
, Mike Comrie
, and Mike Knuble
. One of his hardest hits was delivered on Calgary's Matt Stajan
in November 2010. As Stajan skated into the offensive zone, he prepared to send a pass toward his left. Unknown to Stajan, who had turned to follow his pass, Staal was coming across from Stajan's right and delivered a clean, hard shoulder to shoulder hit that left Stajan struggling on the ice. The hit dislodged Stajan's helmet and stick. Almost immediately, the hit prompted questions about whether or not it was clean, due to a new NHL rule for the 2010-2011 season that banned blindside hits to the head. However, reviews of the play indicated the principal point of contact had been the shoulder. Staal, generally known as a clean player, was neither suspended nor penalized for the hit (since it was clean). Had he been suspended, the suspension would have been his first in the NHL. The hit knocked Stajan out of the game, and Stajan would miss the next two of his team's contests with an "upper body injury", although he was not diagnosed with a concussion as many feared. Of the hit, Staal defended the play, simply saying:
For his part, Stajan held no ill will towards Staal for the hit, responding:
Staal has also been known to drop the gloves and fight
on occasion, although it is rare for him to do so due to his value as a defensive player.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
and alternate captain for the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. He is the younger brother of Eric Staal
Eric Staal
Eric Craig Staal is a Canadian ice hockey player and the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League...
of the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
, and older brother of Jordan Staal
Jordan Staal
Jordan Lee Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
of the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
and Jared Staal
Jared Staal
Jared John Staal is an ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League. He is the younger brother of Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes, Marc Staal of the New York Rangers, and Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins...
, who plays in the Hurricanes organization.
Early career
Staal played junior hockey from 2003–2007 for the Sudbury WolvesSudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World...
in the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
where he was the team's captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
, and led the Wolves to their first trip to the OHL finals in 30 years.http://www.behindthejersey.com/2007/05/14/whalers-ohl-champs/ He was drafted by the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in 2005 NHL Entry Draft
2005 NHL Entry Draft
The 2005 NHL Entry Draft was the 43rd NHL Entry Draft.As a lockout cancelled the games of the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on July 22, 2005. Teams were assigned 1 to 3 balls based on their playoff appearances and first overall draft picks from the past three years...
in the 1st round, 12th pick overall.
Staal played for Team Canada in the 2006
2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships were held in Vancouver, Kelowna, and Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. The championships began on December 26, 2005, and finished on January 5, 2006. Games were played at GM Place and the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, the Interior Savings Centre in...
and 2007 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 2007 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in Mora and Leksand, Sweden between December 26, 2006 and January 5, 2007. The venues were FM Mattsson Arena in Mora, and Ejendals Arena in Leksand...
bringing home gold both times. He was named the tournament's top defenceman in the 2006 Championships.
Marc and younger brother Jared played together in Sudbury during 2006–07.
On May 7, 2007, the Ontario Hockey League announced that Staal was the recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy
Max Kaminsky Trophy
The Max Kaminsky Trophy is awarded each year to the most outstanding defenceman in the Ontario Hockey League. Prior to 1969, the same trophy was awarded to the most sportsmanlike player in the league; since then, that player has been awarded the William Hanley Trophy.The award is named in honour of...
as the OHL's Most Outstanding Defenceman for the 2006–07 season. This prestigious award was previously won by the likes of future NHL players such as Chris Pronger
Chris Pronger
Christopher Robert Pronger is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Originally selected 2nd overall by the Hartford Whalers in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Pronger has played for Hartford, the St...
, Al MacInnis
Al MacInnis
Allan MacInnis is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues. A first round selection of the Flames in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, he went on to become a 13-time All-Star...
, and Denis Potvin
Denis Potvin
Denis Charles Potvin is a former defenseman and team captain for the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League and cornerstone for the Islanders' four Stanley Cup championship teams in the early 1980s. His brother, Jean Potvin, was also an NHL defenseman and the brothers were teammates for...
. On May 13, 2007, although his Sudbury team lost the OHL Championship
J. Ross Robertson Cup
The J. Ross Robertson Cup is an ice hockey trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Ontario Hockey League playoff championship. It was presented by and named for John Ross Robertson, the president of the Ontario Hockey Association who served from 1899 to 1905.Originally it was awarded to the...
Series to Plymouth
Plymouth Whalers
The Plymouth Whalers are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of Compuware Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, USA.-History:...
in six games, Staal was named the winner of the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award
Wayne Gretzky 99 Award
The Wayne Gretzky 99 Award is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. It is named for Wayne Gretzky. The trophy should not be confused with the similarly named Wayne Gretzky Trophy, awarded annually to the playoff champion of the OHL's Western Conference...
, which goes to the league's postseason MVP.
NHL career
On October 4, 2007, Staal made his NHLNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
debut for the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
and Head Coach Tom Renney
Tom Renney
Thomas Renney is a Canadian ice hockey Head Coach for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He has previously coached the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks....
, who would use him in that first season primarily in a defensive role. He would record his first NHL point against the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
on November 1, 2007, when Chris Drury
Chris Drury
Christopher Drury is an American retired professional ice hockey player. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States, and a...
deflected his shot in for a goal, giving Staal an assist. Staal scored his first NHL goal soon after - on November 14, 2007 - against the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
at the Prudential Center. His wrist shot from the left faceoff circle sailed over the outstretched glove of goaltender Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
and deflected in off the crossbar. Assisting on his first goal in the NHL were teammates Scott Gomez
Scott Gomez
Scott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and Brendan Shanahan
Brendan Shanahan
Brendan Frederick "Shanny" Shanahan is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently serves as the National Hockey League's Vice President of Hockey and Business Development and head disciplinarian. Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils second overall in the 1987 NHL Entry...
. During 2007-08
2007-08 NHL season
The 2007–08 NHL season was the 91st season of operation of the National Hockey League . It began on September 29, 2007, with the regular season ending April 6, 2008...
, Staal was one of sixteen rookies selected to participate in the YoungStars competition
NHL YoungStars Game
The NHL YoungStars Game started in 2002, to replace the Heroes of Hockey Old-Timers game during the All-Star Weekend activities. The first four games were played as separate games to the actual All-Star Game, but starting in 2008, it was changed to become part of the NHL Super Skills Competition,...
at the 2008 NHL All-Star Game
56th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 56th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held on January 27, 2008 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, home of the Atlanta Thrashers, during the 2007–08 NHL season....
in Atlanta, where he scored a goal and added an assist. Staal finished his rookie season with 10 points on the strength of 2 goals and 8 assists. But more importantly, he established himself as a reliable defender, posting a positive plus/minus rating at +2, as the Rangers qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
. He saved his best for the playoffs, with his first NHL playoff goal and two assists to help the Rangers defeat the Devils in 5 games during the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal. The goal was important - in the pivotal Game 4, Staal's slapper
Slapshot
A slapshot in ice hockey is the hardest shot. It has four stages which are executed in one fluid motion:# The player winds up his hockey stick by raising it behind his body, sometimes raising the blade to shoulder height or higher.# Next the player violently "slaps" the ice slightly behind the...
broke a 3-3 deadlock late in the third period and stood to be the game winning goal in a 5-3 victory that gave the Rangers a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. Like his first regular season goal, it also came against goalie Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
. However, despite their win over the Devils in the Conference Quarterfinal, the Rangers would fall to the eventual Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
runner-up Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
In 2008-09, Staal improved his offensive output to 15 points, scoring 3 goals and adding 12 assists - all career highs. He returned to the YoungStars Competition
NHL YoungStars Game
The NHL YoungStars Game started in 2002, to replace the Heroes of Hockey Old-Timers game during the All-Star Weekend activities. The first four games were played as separate games to the actual All-Star Game, but starting in 2008, it was changed to become part of the NHL Super Skills Competition,...
as a sophomore at the 2009 NHL All-Star Game
57th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 57th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, home of the Montreal Canadiens, in conjunction with the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. The game was held between two teams, each representing a conference of the National Hockey League...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, and scored two goals. Late in the season, a coaching change led to a more offensive philosophy designed to propel the Rangers into the playoffs. The defensive minded Tom Renney
Tom Renney
Thomas Renney is a Canadian ice hockey Head Coach for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He has previously coached the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks....
was replaced by John Tortorella
John Tortorella
Jonathan "John" Tortorella is an American professional ice hockey coach and is now the head coach of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He is perhaps best known for his tenure as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning when he led the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship...
who encouraged more offense from all of his players, including Staal. As a result, much of Staal's production came towards the end of the season - 6 of his 15 points came after the coaching change, in just 21 games (as opposed to 9 in 61 under Renney). The Rangers would again qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
on the strength of their strong finish, but this time were defeated in the first round by the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
in seven games after blowing a 3-1 series lead. During the series, Staal would record his second career NHL playoff goal.
In the summer of 2009, Marc was invited - along with his brothers Eric and Jordan - to try out for the Canadian Olympic men's ice hockey team competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. However when the team was named on December 30, 2009, Eric was the only Staal named to the squad. Meanwhile, now in his third year, Staal began to transition into more of a two way role for the Rangers during 2009-10 as the development of his offense continued under Coach Tortorella
John Tortorella
Jonathan "John" Tortorella is an American professional ice hockey coach and is now the head coach of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He is perhaps best known for his tenure as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning when he led the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship...
. Staal enjoyed the first four game point streak of his career from 11/27/09 to 12/5/09 (1 goal, 3 assists over the span). Though the Rangers would miss the playoffs for the first time in Staal's career, he would establish new career highs with 8 goals, 19 assists, 27 points, and a career best +11 rating during the season. He saved his finest for late in the year, scoring a beautiful coast-to-coast goal against Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
goalie Scott Clemmensen
Scott Clemmensen
Scott Lee Clemmensen is an American professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently playing with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:...
on April 3, 2010 after receiving the puck from teammate Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three seasons in the NHL, finishing third all three times, and is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in...
in the defensive zone. For Staal, it capped a three game goal-scoring streak and ignited a Rangers comeback in an eventual 4-1 victory that kept the Rangers' playoff hopes alive a little longer. The team would ultimately miss the playoffs on the final day of the season, losing a 2-1 heartbreaker in a shootout to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, who usurped the eighth and final playoff spot from them for the victory. Staal led all Ranger skaters in ice time during the final game, on-ice for an eye popping 29:16 of the game's 65 minutes of team play and turned in a strong defensive effort, finishing at +1.
In 2010, Marc became a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
for the first time. Though negotiations between Staal's camp and New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
General Manager Glen Sather
Glen Sather
Glen Cameron "Slats" Sather is the President and general manager of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He has also served as the head coach of the Rangers, as well as General Manager and coach of the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association and later NHL...
were often slow, Marc signed a five-year, $19.875 million extension for the team on September 15, 2010 - comparatively late, but still in time to prepare for the upcoming season. After a strong training camp, Rangers Coach John Tortorella
John Tortorella
Jonathan "John" Tortorella is an American professional ice hockey coach and is now the head coach of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He is perhaps best known for his tenure as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning when he led the team to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship...
recognized Staal's leadership qualities in October 2010 by naming him an alternate captain at the young age of 23.
During the 2010-2011 season, Staal was chosen for the first time to participate in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game in Carolina. During the game, he enjoyed a rare opportunity to play on the same team as brother Eric.
Playing Style
Staal is an excellent skater and defender. Defensively, Staal is an adept shot blocker, and penalty killer. Offensively, he is a smart passer who makes the intelligent plays to his teammates. Due to his skating ability, he often tries to join the offensive rush despite being a defenceman. He has a very accurate wrist shotWrist shot
A wrist shot is a type of ice hockey shot that involves using arm muscles to propel a puck forward from the concave side of the blade of a hockey stick. Generally, when the puck is shot in a similar manner using the convex side of the blade, it is referred to as a backhand shot...
and a hard slapshot
Slapshot
A slapshot in ice hockey is the hardest shot. It has four stages which are executed in one fluid motion:# The player winds up his hockey stick by raising it behind his body, sometimes raising the blade to shoulder height or higher.# Next the player violently "slaps" the ice slightly behind the...
that has improved in accuracy since his NHL debut. His improving offense led him to see more ice time on the power play
Power play (sport)
"Power play" is a sporting term used in various games.*In ice hockey, a team is said to be on a power play when at least one opposing player is serving a penalty, and the team has a numerical advantage on the ice...
beginning in the 2010-11 season, where he can apply those offensive skills more directly in the scoring effort. Upon bursting onto the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
scene, the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
coaching staff primarily used him in a defensive role. However his point totals improved steadily his first few years in the NHL, and each year from 2007-08
2007-08 NHL season
The 2007–08 NHL season was the 91st season of operation of the National Hockey League . It began on September 29, 2007, with the regular season ending April 6, 2008...
to 2009-10 he established new career highs in goals, assists, and points.
Staal is also known for his hard open-ice body checks
Checking (ice hockey)
Checking in ice hockey is any one of a number of defensive techniques. It is usually not a penalty.- Types :There are various types of checking:...
. Staal has thrown many hard open-ice hits into well known NHL players, including Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
, Alex Ovechkin, his brother Jordan Staal
Jordan Staal
Jordan Lee Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
, Mike Comrie
Mike Comrie
Michael William "Mike" Comrie is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre.He is married to Hilary Duff.-Playing career:Mike Comrie was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and attended Jasper Place High School...
, and Mike Knuble
Mike Knuble
Michael Rudolph Knuble is a Canadian American professional ice hockey right winger and an alternate captain for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
. One of his hardest hits was delivered on Calgary's Matt Stajan
Matt Stajan
Matthew Stajan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . Matthew is of Slovenian descent and holds dual citizenship of Canada and Slovenia.-Hockey career:...
in November 2010. As Stajan skated into the offensive zone, he prepared to send a pass toward his left. Unknown to Stajan, who had turned to follow his pass, Staal was coming across from Stajan's right and delivered a clean, hard shoulder to shoulder hit that left Stajan struggling on the ice. The hit dislodged Stajan's helmet and stick. Almost immediately, the hit prompted questions about whether or not it was clean, due to a new NHL rule for the 2010-2011 season that banned blindside hits to the head. However, reviews of the play indicated the principal point of contact had been the shoulder. Staal, generally known as a clean player, was neither suspended nor penalized for the hit (since it was clean). Had he been suspended, the suspension would have been his first in the NHL. The hit knocked Stajan out of the game, and Stajan would miss the next two of his team's contests with an "upper body injury", although he was not diagnosed with a concussion as many feared. Of the hit, Staal defended the play, simply saying:
For his part, Stajan held no ill will towards Staal for the hit, responding:
Staal has also been known to drop the gloves and fight
Fighting in ice hockey
Fighting in ice hockey is an established tradition of the sport in North America, with a long history involving many levels of amateur and professional play and including some notable individual fights. Although a definite source of criticism, it is a considerable draw for the sport, and some fans...
on occasion, although it is rare for him to do so due to his value as a defensive player.
Personal life
Staal married his longtime girlfriend Lindsay on Friday August 12, 2011. They have known each other since high school. He proposed to her on Christmas Day, 2010.Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2003–04 | Sudbury Wolves Sudbury Wolves The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
61 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 34 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2004–05 | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | 65 | 6 | 20 | 26 | 53 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 15 | ||
| 2005–06 | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | 57 | 11 | 38 | 49 | 60 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford Wolf Pack The Connecticut Whale is a professional ice hockey team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They play in the American Hockey League . They play their home games at the XL Center.... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
— | — | — | — | — | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 2006–07 | Sudbury Wolves | OHL | 53 | 5 | 29 | 34 | 68 | 21 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 22 | ||
| 2007–08 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
80 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 42 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
New York Rangers | NHL | 82 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 64 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
New York Rangers | NHL | 82 | 8 | 19 | 27 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
New York Rangers | NHL | 77 | 7 | 22 | 29 | 50 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| OHL totals | 236 | 23 | 100 | 123 | 215 | 50 | 6 | 29 | 35 | 47 | ||||
| NHL totals | 321 | 20 | 61 | 81 | 200 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||||