Jordan Staal: “Everyone makes mistakes, I went to jail”

The players involved in the 2018 Junior Team Canada scandal have finally been acquitted by the NHL. Some people aren't happy about the decision, but for Jordan Staal, these players must be allowed to move on.In an interview with Mark Lazerus of The Athletic, Staal explained that these players have suffered and that he understands their situation because he once made a blunder.

Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said that everybody makes mistakes when asked about the five acquitted players from the s*xual assault case being allowed back into the NHL.

“Those guys have been through the whole thing and came out acquitted. I'm sure all of them regret what… pic.twitter.com/nVtnQzX80b– PuckEmpire (@puckempire) September 25, 2025

“Everybody makes mistakes, I went to jail.”

–

Jordan Staal

It's a lesser-known fact, but Staal was actually arrested when he was 18. He was arrested along with his brother, Eric, for disturbing the peace and obstructing legal proceedings. He says he suffered greatly as a result, but that he recognized his mistakes, as did the players at ÉCJ 2018. Staal went on to have a great career, and this event never really overshadowed his achievements. That's exactly what he wants for these players.

Several rumors have been circulating in recent weeks linking Michael McLeod and Carter Hart to the Hurricanes. As Carolina's captain, Staal would have to do everything in his power to integrate these players if they were to be signed. Not everyone would be happy with a McLeod or Hart signing. A

group of Carolina Hurricanes fans are threatening to cancel their season tickets amid rumors of the team's interest in some of the “Hockey Canada 5” players acquitted of sexual assault this summer.

“We're done with the Canes if that happens,” one fan tells FOS. – Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 23, 2025

Once legally acquitted and given the green light by the NHL, there's nothing to stop 2018 CLE players from returning to an NHL team. However, Bettman teams that offer these players a contract will probably have to face a lot of media wind.

'Overtime'

– To listen,

Martin Leclerc raised some revealing statistics about two Habs players during his daily column on Le Retour! #canadiens #lnh #hockey #habs #lanehutson #nicksuzuki pic.twitter.com/GT8Zw94qjx

– Martin Lemay (@MartinLemay) September 25, 2025

– A beautiful breakthrough in net for Miroshnichenko.

Sweeeeeet goal from Ivan Miroshnichenko pic.twitter.com/pnJLmBVBdO

– Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) September 26, 2025

– A great debut in his new colors for Josh Doan.

That's a goal and an assist for Josh Doan tonight (so far) #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/bX6SXohs8p

– Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) September 26, 2025

– It's been… different.

Some new colors for Vladimir Tarasenko pic.twitter.com/z0zxGP7IUs

– NHL (@NHL) September 26, 2025