(Raleigh) Jordan Staal agreed to a four-year, $11.6 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

Considered one of the best defensive forwards in the league, the 34-year-old Ontarian could have become a free agent in less than a week.

“His leadership is an important part of our success,” Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said in a statement. We cannot say enough about his impact in the organization. »

A Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh in 2009, Staal has played with the Hurricanes for a decade.

He has been the team’s captain since 2019.

Last season he provided 17 goals and 34 points, missing just one game.

The Hurricanes were swept in the Eastern Finals this year, by the Florida Panthers.

Carolina has been in the playoffs for the past five years.