After 18 seasons, Eric Staal has officially retired from the NHL.

Staal played his final game in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final with the Florida Panthers.

On Tuesday, the Carolina Hurricanes announced they had signed their former captain to a one-day contract so he could retire with the team which originally drafted him No. 2 in the 2003 NHL Draft.

Staal will have his No. 12 raised to the rafters in Raleigh this coming season.

The Hurricanes and Staal won the 2006 Stanley Cup.

The other Carolina players to have their numbers retired are: Rod Brind’Amour (17), Ron Francis (10), and Glen Wesley (2).