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There isn't a lot of things that Eric Staal has left to do in terms of checking off achievements in hockey. He's already a member of the Triple Gold club, having won the Stanley Cup in 2006 with the Carolina Hurricanes while winning a 2007 IIHF World Hockey Championship and adding a 2010 Olympic gold medal in Vancouver. He was drafted second-overall in 2003, one pick behind Marc-Andre Fleury, by the Hurricanes who liked what he brought in terms of size, skill, and scoring that he showed with the OHL's Peterborough Petes. He's played over 1000 NHL games and became the 89th player in NHL history to surpass the 1000-point mark when he hit that milestone on December 15, 2019. There isn't a lot of things that Eric Staal hasn't done, but the opportunity to suit up for one more big tournament has brought him back to the game.

On Thursday, it was announced that Staal, an unrestricted free agent, had signed a professional tryout contract with the AHL's Iowa Wild as the 37 year-old looks to make an impact in Beijing as a member of Team Canada's men's hockey team. As stated above, Staal already has a gold medal from 2010's Olympiad, and his inclusion on Canada's Olympic team likely will be a huge boost to the squad that Hockey Canada is working to assemble.

I'll temper the excitement over getting player like Staal to play for Canada by reminding everyone that he is 37 years-old with his highlight-reel days behind him. While Staal will earn a regular shift in Beijing, his experience in terms of all the games he's played in the NHL and at the international level combined with his knowledge of what it takes to win is why his inclusion is important for Canada. Staal can still undoubtedly score, but his days of dangling and dispy-doodling around opponents are certainly in the rearview mirror.

In joining the Wild, he jumped into the lineup for tonight's game as he begins that effort to get into game shape in a big way as the Wild hosted the Chicago Wolves. Wearing #14, Staal didn't wait long to introduce himself to hockey fans in Des Moines. I'd expect goals like that - Staal parked in front and cleaning up on the doorstep - when he wears the maple leaf in Beijing as his size and strength will give him an advantage in front of the net. Staal, it should be noted, finished the night with the goal above and as assist on the fourth Iowa goal in Iowa's 4-3 win over Chicago. He played in all situations as well, earning that assist while Iowa was shorthanded, so he may not need many games to get into game shape based on his Wild debut tonight!

Staal will be back in action with the Wild on Saturday as the Wild host the Wolves in the second half of the back-to-back they play before they welcome the Milwaukee Admirals to Des Moines on Monday followed by the Manitoba Moose on Wednesday. Following that, there are three road games - two in Colorado and one in Rockford - so we'll keep an eye on when Eric Staal feels he's had enough game action before leaving for China.

One thing is certain from Friday night, though: it appears that Eric Staal is back for more, and that's good for Team Canada as they look to win the gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!