Jordan Staal shares his own past jail experience, offers perspective to Carter Hart and Michael McLeod

Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal dropped a surprising revelation this week while discussing the potential signings of Carter Hart and Michael McLeod, both returning to the NHL after legal proceedings were resolved.

Hart and McLeod, along with Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote, were acquitted earlier this summer of charges stemming from a June 2018 incident at a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ontario. After months of uncertainty, they became eligible to sign contracts starting October 15, with NHL action resuming December 1. The Hurricanes have reportedly been eyeing both Hart and McLeod for potential deals.

But it was Staal’s own admission that caught attention. Reflecting on the challenges of young players facing the spotlight after mistakes, he revealed his own past troubles:

“Everyone makes mistakes, including myself,” Staal said. “As an 18-year-old kid, I’ve done some stupid stuff. I went to jail. I had to go through a lot of crap because of it, and it wasn’t fun. I had to go through some crappy times, but I owned it.”

Staal, now 37 years old, was arrested at 18 for disorderly conduct, underage drinking, and obstruction during his older brother Eric’s bachelor party in 2007, mostly noise violations and harassing motorists. Unlike Hart and the others, he never faced public trials or widespread media scrutiny, but he now says he understands what young players might be up against.

“Media guys all want a little piece of them, and everyone wants to write their own little snippet and not miss out on the juicy stuff,” Staal said. “That’s part of making mistakes, too.”

While the Hurricanes appear open to discussing contracts for Hart and McLeod, the situation was very different in Vegas, who is reportedly interested in signing the goalie.

Insider Mark Lazerus revealed that he was pulled from a Golden Knights press conference and had his press pass revoked after asking about the potential signing of Hart, a stark contrast to the more open approach in Raleigh.

As Hart and McLeod inch closer to returning to the NHL, Staal’s comments offer perspective and a reminder that even star players can make mistakes and still own their path forward.