Marc Staal

Marc Staal is a professional hockey player and defenseman that plays for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Staal was drafted by the Rangers in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, number 12 overall, and made his NHL debut for the Rangers in an October 4, 2007, game against the Florida Panthers. On November 1, 2007, Staal posted his first NHL point, an assist, in a game against the Washington Capitals, and notched his first NHL goal on November 14, 2007, in a match-up against the New Jersey Devils.http://rangers.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471686&view=bio

On September 15, 2010, the New York Rangers agreed to a five-year contract with Marc Staal worth $19.875 million dollars, keeping the defenseman with the team through the 2015-16 season.http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/2010/09/15/2010-09-15_marc_staal_new_york_rangers_agree_on_fiveyear_contract_worth_almost_20m.html The signing came off a 2009-10 season in which Staal set career highs in points, goals, and assists, notching eight goals and 19 assists for a total of 27 points. He also led the Rangers in total ice time on the season, and was one of only four Rangers to play in all 82 games. He also reached a career milestone on December 26, 2009, when he played in his 200th NHL game.http://rangers.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471686&view=bio

Marc Staal was born on January 13, 1987, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The left-shooting defenseman, who wears the #18 on his jersey, was introduced to hockey at an early age by his father. Staal, along with his three brothers, Jordan, Jared, and Eric, all play professional hockey. Jordan Staal and Eric Staal play at the NHL level, while youngest brother Jared Staal plays in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Carolina Hurricanes' organization.http://rangers.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471686&view=bio

Marc Staal played four seasons of major junior hockey for the Sudbury Wolves in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 236 games for the Wolves, he registered 123 points on 23 goals and 100 assists, and posted 215 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 50 playoff games for the Wolves, notching six goals and 29 assists for a total of 35 points, and received 68 penalty minutes. During his first year with the team, he was named to the OHL's First All-Rookie Team, and in his final season with the Wolves was named to the First Team OHL All-Star. During his final 2006-07 season he was also the team's captain, as well as the recipient of the Max Kaminsky Trophy for Most Outstanding Defenseman. He also helped lead the team to the OHL Championship series during postseason play.http://rangers.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471686&view=bio

Staal began his professional hockey career at the NHL level, making only a brief postseason appearance for the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, during the 2005-06 season. In 12 postseason games for the Wolf Pack, he logged two points on two assists, and received eight penalty minutes.http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=76907

In his first three professional seasons with the Rangers from 2007-10, Marc Staal played in 244 games, logging 52 points on 13 goals and 39 assists. In his first 40 games of the 2010-11 season, he posted 16 points on six goals and 10 assists, logging 24 penalty minutes.http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=76907