Eric Staal

Eric Craig Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . Eric is the oldest of the Staal brothers, which include current teammate Marc Staal and former teammates Jordan Staal and Jared Staal. Eric Staal is a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006, and both the 2007 World Championships and the 2010 Winter Olympics with Team Canada.

Staal was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the son of sod farmers Henry and Linda Staal. He started playing hockey at the age of four, and along with learning how to operate farming tools he played in a home ice rink with his three younger brothers. His idols growing up were forwards Joe Sakic and Wayne Gretzky. Eric took his jersey numberfrom what his father wore when he played hockey for the Lakehead Thunderwolves from 1978 to 1983.

Source: Wikipedia