Last Updated on November 12, 2026 by Carmen Marins

Jordan Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on September 10, 1988, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, Staal comes from one of the most recognizable hockey families in North America.
Jordan Staal is married to Heather Staal (née Dysievick), and the couple has three living children: Abigail, Lilah, and Henry. They also experienced the heartbreaking loss of their daughter Hannah, who was stillborn in February 2018.
His parents are Henry and Linda Staal, and his three brothers, Eric, Marc, and Jared, have all played in the NHL. Family has remained central to Jordan’s personal life and professional hockey career.
Jordan Staal’s Wife: Is He Married or Dating?
Jordan Staal is married to Heather Staal, whose maiden name is Heather Dysievick. The couple married on June 22, 2012, after dating for several years.
Their wedding day became particularly memorable because Jordan received unexpected news about his NHL career during the celebration.
While celebrating their marriage, Jordan learned that the Pittsburgh Penguins had traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes, where his older brother Eric was already playing.
The trade meant that Jordan and Heather would begin their married life in a new city while Jordan continued his professional hockey career alongside his brother.
In an interview following the trade, Jordan explained that although the news was emotional, having his Pittsburgh teammates at the wedding allowed him to say goodbye to them personally.
Heather has been a consistent source of support throughout Jordan’s career in Carolina.
The couple have appeared together at NHL events, family celebrations, and community activities. However, Heather generally maintains a private personal life outside her husband’s professional career.
Who Is Heather Staal?
Heather Staal is best known publicly as the wife of Carolina Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal.
She and Jordan have built their family in the Raleigh area of North Carolina, where he has spent most of his NHL career.
Heather has supported her husband through major professional accomplishments and difficult family experiences.
In a June 2024 interview about fatherhood, Jordan discussed the importance of supporting his wife while raising children. He explained that becoming parents changed their daily routines and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship as a couple.
The couple’s relationship has endured more than a decade of professional hockey commitments, including extensive travel, playoff campaigns, and family responsibilities.
Although Heather occasionally appears at public hockey celebrations, detailed information about her education and professional background has not been widely documented in reliable sources.
Jordan Staal’s Children
Jordan Staal and his wife Heather have four children, including their late daughter Hannah. Their three living children are daughters Abigail and Lilah and son Henry.
The couple experienced the loss of Hannah in February 2018, an event that deeply affected their family.
Jordan has frequently spoken about how fatherhood changed his perspective on life, helping him appreciate the importance of family beyond professional hockey.
1. Abigail Staal
Abigail Staal is Jordan and Heather Staal’s oldest daughter.
Abigail was approximately 11 years old in June 2026, placing her birth around 2015.
She has appeared alongside her father at several Carolina Hurricanes events and celebrations.
In September 2025, Jordan mentioned that Abigail was particularly excited about the upcoming NHL season. He explained that her growing enthusiasm for hockey made the experience even more enjoyable for him as a father.
Abigail attracted widespread attention in June 2026 after the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup.
During Jordan’s postgame press conference, she surprised her father by asking why he had fought Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk during the playoffs.
The lighthearted exchange became a memorable moment of the championship celebration.
2. Lilah Staal
Lilah Staal is Jordan and Heather’s second daughter.
Like Abigail, Lilah has attended Carolina Hurricanes games and family celebrations.
Jordan has spoken about the experience of becoming a father when Abigail and Lilah were born, describing how witnessing childbirth gave him a greater appreciation for his wife’s strength.
The couple generally keeps details about Lilah’s daily life private, although she has occasionally appeared in photographs with her parents and siblings.
3. Hannah Staal
Hannah Staal was Jordan and Heather’s daughter, who was stillborn on February 22, 2018, following a terminal birth defect.
Her death was a devastating experience for the Staal family.
On February 25, 2018, the Carolina Hurricanes released a statement expressing support for Jordan and Heather and requesting privacy for their family.
Jordan subsequently shared a personal statement thanking friends, relatives, teammates, and members of the hockey community for their compassion.
He explained that the family had hoped for a miracle despite knowing about their daughter’s serious medical condition.
Jordan missed several games while spending time with Heather and their family.
In later interviews, he has discussed how the experience changed his perspective on life and helped him approach the challenges of professional hockey differently.
Hannah remains an important part of the family’s story, and her memory has been acknowledged in public reporting about Jordan and Heather.
4. Henry Staal
Henry Staal is Jordan and Heather’s son.
Henry is the couple’s youngest publicly identified living child and has appeared alongside his father during Hurricanes celebrations.
Following Carolina’s Stanley Cup victory in June 2026, Jordan shared a touching moment with Henry on the ice.
According to NHL.com, Jordan held his son and asked whether he might win the Stanley Cup himself one day. Henry responded by nodding.
The exchange highlighted the family’s multigenerational connection to hockey.
While Henry is still young, his father and uncles have established an extraordinary hockey legacy.
Jordan Staal’s Parents
Jordan Staal was born to Henry Staal and Linda Staal in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
His parents raised four sons on a family sod farm, where hockey became an important part of everyday life.
Henry and Linda played a central role in helping their sons pursue professional hockey while teaching them the importance of hard work, discipline, and family responsibilities.
Father: Henry Staal
Henry Staal is Jordan Staal’s father and a Canadian businessman associated with Sunshine Sod Farms in Thunder Bay.
The family business was established by Henry’s father in 1960 and later developed into a substantial sod-farming operation.
Henry played hockey recreationally and developed a passion for the sport that he passed on to his four sons.
During their childhood, he built an outdoor hockey rink on the family’s property.
The rink included boards, nets, and lighting, allowing Eric, Marc, Jordan, and Jared to practice for hours during the long Canadian winters.
Henry also encouraged his children to work on the family farm, where they learned responsibility and developed physical strength.
In a February 2024 interview with Northern News Now, Henry reflected on the demanding schedules involved in raising four competitive hockey players.
His sons regularly participated in tournaments across Ontario, requiring considerable travel and parental commitment.
Despite these demands, Henry and Linda continued supporting their children’s ambitions.
Jordan has repeatedly identified his parents as the biggest influences on his hockey career.
Mother: Linda Staal
Linda Staal is Jordan Staal’s mother and the wife of Henry Staal.
Linda was actively involved in raising her four sons and supporting their athletic development.
She has a background in sports, including playing baseball during her younger years.
According to a September 2026 interview with Christian Courier, Linda participated in hockey practices with her children, sometimes wearing figure skates because she did not have hockey skates.
Alongside Henry, Linda helped organize practices, tournaments, transportation, and the many responsibilities associated with raising four competitive athletes.
She also emphasized family values and encouraged her sons to maintain perspective as their hockey careers progressed.
In January 2024, Linda participated in a special Carolina Hurricanes event recognizing the Staal family’s contribution to professional hockey.
She has continued attending important games and celebrations involving her sons.
Jordan Staal’s Siblings
Jordan Staal has three brothers: Eric Staal, Marc Staal, and Jared Staal.
All four brothers reached the NHL, making them one of the most accomplished sibling groups in professional hockey history.
1. Eric Staal – Older Brother
Eric Staal was born on October 29, 1984, in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
He is the oldest of the four Staal brothers and enjoyed a distinguished NHL career.
Eric was selected second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2003 NHL Draft.
He helped Carolina win the Stanley Cup in 2006 and later served as the team’s captain.
Eric also played for the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Florida Panthers.
Jordan and Eric became teammates in Carolina when Jordan was traded from Pittsburgh in 2012.
The brothers played together until Eric joined the Rangers in February 2016.
In January 2025, Carolina retired Eric’s No. 12 jersey during a special ceremony attended by members of the Staal family.
2. Marc Staal – Older Brother
Marc Staal was born on January 13, 1987, in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
He is Jordan’s second-oldest brother and a former professional ice hockey defenseman.
Marc was selected 12th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2005 NHL Draft.
He became known for his defensive abilities and spent most of his NHL career with the Rangers.
Marc subsequently played for the Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, and Philadelphia Flyers.
During the 2022-23 season, Marc and Eric were teammates with the Florida Panthers.
That season created several memorable matchups against Jordan and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Eric, Marc, and Jordan became the first trio of brothers in NHL history to each appear in at least 1,000 regular-season games.
3. Jared Staal – Younger Brother
Jared Staal was born on August 21, 1990, in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
He is the youngest of the four brothers.
Jared played junior hockey with the Sudbury Wolves before being selected by the Phoenix Coyotes in the second round of the 2008 NHL Draft.
He later joined the Carolina Hurricanes organization and appeared in two NHL games during the 2012-13 season.
On April 25, 2013, Jared played alongside Eric and Jordan against the New York Rangers, creating a special moment for the Staal family.
After concluding his playing career, Jared moved into coaching.
He became head coach of the Savannah Ghost Pirates in the ECHL.
In June 2026, Jared publicly expressed pride in Jordan’s leadership as the Hurricanes competed in the Stanley Cup Final.
Does Jordan Staal Have a Sister?
No. Jordan Staal is one of four sons born to Henry and Linda Staal. His three siblings are Eric, Marc, and Jared, and there is no publicly documented sister.
Jordan Staal’s Family Background and Childhood
Jordan Staal grew up on a sod farm in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where he and his brothers developed a shared passion for ice hockey.
The brothers spent much of their free time practicing on an outdoor rink built by their father.
The competitive environment helped develop their skating, shooting, and teamwork skills.
Family responsibilities were also important. During the summer, the brothers worked on the farm, helping maintain and transport sod.
Jordan eventually joined the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League, following a development path similar to that of his older brother Eric.
He was selected second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2006 NHL Draft.
Jordan won his first Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009 before joining Carolina in 2012.
In June 2026, he captained the Hurricanes to another Stanley Cup championship and received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
He celebrated the achievement with Heather, their children, and other members of the Staal family.
The Staal Family Foundation
Jordan and his brothers are involved in charitable activities through the Staal Family Foundation.
Established in 2012, the nonprofit organization supports children affected by cancer and their families.
The foundation was inspired by the family’s personal experience with cancer and their desire to help other families facing serious medical challenges.
Through fundraising events and community partnerships, the foundation has supported cancer-related programs and organizations.
Its activities reflect the brothers’ commitment to giving back to the communities that helped shape their hockey careers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jordan Staal’s Family
Who is Jordan Staal’s wife?
Jordan Staal is married to Heather Staal, formerly Heather Dysievick. They married on June 22, 2012.
Does Jordan Staal have children?
Yes. Jordan and Heather have three living children: Abigail, Lilah, and Henry. Their daughter Hannah was stillborn in February 2018.
What happened to Jordan Staal’s daughter?
Jordan and Heather’s daughter Hannah was stillborn on February 22, 2018, following a terminal birth defect. The couple publicly acknowledged their loss and thanked the hockey community for its support.
Who are Jordan Staal’s parents?
Jordan Staal’s parents are Henry Staal and Linda Staal. They raised their four sons on a sod farm in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
How many brothers does Jordan Staal have?
Jordan has three brothers: Eric, Marc, and Jared Staal. All four brothers played in the NHL.
Is Jordan Staal related to Eric Staal?
Yes. Eric Staal is Jordan’s oldest brother. They played together for the Carolina Hurricanes between 2012 and 2016.
Is Marc Staal Jordan Staal’s brother?
Yes. Marc Staal is Jordan’s older brother and a former NHL defenseman best known for his career with the New York Rangers.
Who is the youngest Staal brother?
Jared Staal, born on August 21, 1990, is the youngest of the four Staal brothers.
Who is Jordan Staal’s oldest child?
Abigail Staal is Jordan and Heather’s oldest daughter. She was approximately 11 years old in June 2026.
Where is Jordan Staal’s family from?
The Staal family comes from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, where Jordan and his three brothers grew up playing hockey on an outdoor rink at their family’s farm.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
