THUNDER BAY -- Jared Staal is making a reverse Brexit.
The one-time NHLer has inked a deal with the Elite Ice Hockey League’s Edinburgh Capitals and will head to Scotland this fall.
Staal played a pair of games in 2013 alongside older brothers Eric and Jordan with the Carolina Hurricanes, but has languished in the minors for most of his professional career after being drafted in the second round, 49th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes.
The 25-year-old was held pointless in his brief NHL tour and has collected 71 points in329 split between the American Hockey League and ECHL.
He had 12 goals and 12 assists in 64 outings with the South Carolina Stingrays last season. “As a player I’m someone who is a very positive person, and I pride myself on being a great teammate,” Staal said in a release issued by the EIHL club.
“I’ll be someone that is a very versatile forward that can fit in a lot of different roles and I’ve done a lot of work on the penalty kill over the last few seasons. I believe that is one of my strong points and I’m looking forward to hopefully being a player that will not only be counted on to score goals, but be a consistent offensive threat this season.”
Capitals player-coach Michal Dobron said it was an easy decision to design the youngest of four hockey-playing brothers from Thunder Bay.
“When we had the chance to bring Jared to the club it was an easy decision,” Dobron said. “He brings great experience having played over 200 games in the AHL, and has NHL experience.
“He’s a strong forward who can play across the forward line and is another on our roster that is talented on special plays. I know the Caps fans are going to love him.”
