An emotional Eric Staal learns that the Hurricanes are retiring his #12!

This just in, longtime NHL forward Eric Staal has signed a one day contract to retire as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. The team has also announced that Staal will have his #12 retired by the team at some point in the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season.

Check it out:

“Eric is a uniquely central figure in franchise history,” said Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky in a statement on the team's official website. “Throughout his time in the Triangle, he made an immeasurable impact on his teammates, the organization and the community. We look forward to raising number 12 to the rafters and celebrating the career of a man who has meant so much to hockey fans in North Carolina.”

Check out this incredible video of the Staal family getting the news from Tulsk this morning:

“I want to thank my family, former teammates, coaches and staff members who played a role in helping me live my dream, playing in the NHL,” said Staal to NHL.com. “I will forever treasure the memories and friendships made during my 18 years in the world’s best league."

Selected second overall by the Hurricanes in the 2003 NHL Draft, Staal posted the only 100-point season in Hurricanes history (45g, 55a) in just his second NHL campaign in 2005-06. He also set team single-season records for goals, points and even-strength points (22-34—56) and tied Cory Stillman and Rod Brind’Amour for the records in assists (55) and power-play goals (19), respectively. Staal set another team single-season record with four hat tricks in 2008-09, including a performance at Tampa Bay on March 7 in which he tied the franchise records for goals (4) and points (6) in a single game. He was traded to NY Rangers on Feb. 28, 2016, and left as the Hurricanes’ career leader in goals, assists, points, games played, penalty minutes (678), even-strength goals (201), even-strength points (502), shorthanded goals (16), shorthanded points (21), game-winning goals (47) and shots on goal (3,033).

“From the time I arrived in Raleigh at 18 years old and throughout my 12 years there, I felt the love and support of the fans and organization in a way that will always feel special to me," Staal continued. "There was no doubt in my mind that when it became time to hang up my skates, I would want to retire as a Carolina Hurricane. To now also know that the team is retiring my No. 12 is truly humbling and I am extremely grateful and honored.”

Congrats, Eric and to the entire Staal family! What a moment!