since his rookie season – a streak of 358 consecutive games played including the playoffs. Staal missed the entire first month of October, still recovering from foot surgery. Then, on November 1, just two days before he was to make his season debut, he was struck by a puck in practice, fracturing his hand and sidelining him again for surgery. Staal finally made his season debut at the NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2011. On April 18, 2012, Staal registered his first playoff hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers in a 10–3 victory at the Wells Fargo Center. He would finish the series with six goals as the Penguins lost to the Flyers in six games, their second consecutive first-round playoff exit. Carolina Hurricanes (2012–present) On June 22, 2012, Staal was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Brandon Sutter, Brian Dumoulin and the Hurricanes' eighth overall pick at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft (which the Penguins used to select Derrick Pouliot). On July 1, 2012, Staal signed a ten-year, $60 million extension with the Hurricanes. He had received exactly the same offer from the Pittsburgh Penguins, but declined it. On September 23, 2014, Staal broke his right leg in a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres. In November 2016, Staal was diagnosed with a concussion. At the time of his injury, he had recorded five goals and nine points in 21 games. Staal, along with Justin Faulk, was named co-captain of the Hurricanes, on October 5, 2017. At the conclusion of the 2017–18 season, Staal was named a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. In December 2018, Staal was diagnosed with a concussion and was placed on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). At the time of his injury, he had recorded five goals and six assists in 27 games. He was activated from LTIR on February 23, 2019. During that season, the Hurricanes qualified for the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs but lost in the Eastern Conference Final. On September 29, 2019, Staal was named captain of the Hurricanes, replacing Justin Williams. On April 12, 2021, Staal played in his 1,000th NHL game. International play Staal made his international debut with Team Canada at the 2007 World Championships in Moscow. Named to the team following the Penguins' first-round playoff defeat, he joined brother Eric to help Canada capture the gold medal by defeating Finland 4–2 in the final.