Jordan Staal knew that June 22nd, 2012, would be a big day for him, as he was going to get married. But, one thing he didn’t see coming on this very day was that he was going to be united with his brother Eric in Carolina in a blockbuster deal. After rejecting a 10 year contract extension from the Penguins, Jordan Staal was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for centre Brandon Sutter, the No. 8 pick in 2012 draft and defenceman Brian Dumoulin.

With that 8th overall pick, the Penguins selected defenseman Derrick Pouliot.

This previous year, Jordan Staal set his career high in points, with 50, despite playing only 62 games.

Gary Bettman stood before the crowd at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, the bearer of breaking news. “We have a trade to announce,” he said as cheers began, before mischievously continuing, “and for those of you in the building, you’ll be particularly interested.

“When the words “Jordan Staal” left the commissioner’s pipes, it produced one of the most memorable reactions at an NHL Draft we’ve ever seen: a cacophony of cheers, gaps, some jeers, disbelief.

Watch Gary Bettman’s announcing of the trade here.

Statement via Jim Rutherford:
“Jordan is an elite two-way player who possesses a rare combination of speed, size, scoring ability and defensive responsibility,” said Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford in a statement. “For his young age, he has a wealth of NHL experience, including winning the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009.

“And he is obviously a natural fit for our team in joining our captain, his older brother Eric.”

Rutherford also said that he didn’t talk to Eric about the deal.