RALEIGH, N.C. — Thursday was a bittersweet one for Marc Staal.
The Rangers’ defenseman was informed he had been nominated by the New York Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, an award recognizing, “perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication.”
He was also able to watch his youngest brother, Jared, make his NHL debut last night in joining siblings Eric and Jordan in the Hurricanes’ lineup.
But that was just it: Marc Staal could only watch and not play in the 4-3 overtime victory in which the Rangers clinched a playoff spot, sidelined for 26th straight match with the after-effects of the right eye injury he sustained when struck with a deflected shot on March 5.
“It’s awesome for Jared. I was excited [Wednesday] when Eric told me, but then when we were all sitting around the table at dinner [Wednesday], it was frustrating knowing that I wouldn’t be in the lineup playing,” Marc said. “But there will be a lot of time for that.”
While 28-year-old Eric, 26-year-old Marc and 24-year-old Jordan all took the fast track to the NHL, 22-year-old Jared has taken a different route. It’s taken five years for the 2008 Phoenix second-round Entry Draft selection to get his first crack, his promotion coming to the injury-riddled Hurricanes after recording seven points (4-3) in 52 games for AHL Charlotte.
“My path has been a little more conventional regarding most players but it’s been different within my family,” Jared said. “Maybe a few years ago I felt some pressure because of my name, but that’s gone.
“It would be a shame to feel pressure because of having three older brothers in the NHL. I’m proud of that. This is a once in a lifetime experience. It’s very special.”
Thursday night marked the fourth time in NHL history that three brothers had played for the same team in the same game, following the Blackhawks’ Max, Doug and Reg Bentley; the Blues’ Bob, Barclay and Bill Plager; and the Nordiques’ Peter, Marian and Anton Stastny.
Carolina coach Kirk Muller united the three brothers on a line that started the match. The Bentleys and Stastnys had played as units at various times.
The Sutters represent the lone set of four brothers to appear in the same game, when the Islanders’ Duane and Brent opposed the Flyers’ twins, Ron and Rich, from 1983-84 through 1985-86.
“It’s unfortunate; it obviously would have been nice to have Marc play,” Jared, who played 12:16 said following the morning skate. “It would have been pretty interesting, because he would have had to deal with one of us on every shift.”
Marc continues to skate in order to acclimate himself to blurred vision in his right eye so he can rejoin the Rangers at some point in the playoffs, if the club does indeed qualify for the tournament.
His nomination for the Masterton reflects both the work he has done this year on and off the ice as well the work he did last season when he missed the first 36 games with post-concussion syndrome in the aftermath of the blow he took here from his brother Eric on Feb. 22, 2011.
“Marc is learning what it is to be a leader,” coach John Tortorella said in endorsing the selection. “It’s how he handles himself on and off the ice.
“I think his personality has grown since I’ve known him. I also think he’s not always recognized for the kind of competitor that he is. It’s unfortunate,” the coach continued. “Before he got hurt [this year], it was probably the best hockey I’ve seen him play.”
The Staals’ parents, Henry and Linda, were at the rink for Thursday night’s match. Linda was flew in from their home in Ontario while Henry made the trip from a beer league international tournament in which he was playing in Tampa.
“Not in a million years [could I have imagined this], in all honesty,” Henry said before the match. “It’s a dream come true.
“I just want Jared to play well, get some shifts and enjoy it. I realize this is not the end-all, but I think this is going to help him in that it’s been a long road and he’ll know what he has to accomplish to get here.
“It would have been awesome if Marc were in there, but I’ll be pretty excited when he starts playing again, regardless of who it is against.”
Henry Staal said Marc’s personality has made it easier for him as a father to handle the last couple of seasons through which his son has dealt with a pair of frightening injuries.
“Just the way Marc is, he deals with things better than I think I would,” Henry said. “He’s got a pretty positive attitude, he doesn’t look back; he looks forward.
“He’s not a negative person at all, which makes it easier for us as parents. Even with the concussion and the brother thing, he just keeps going and doesn’t hold a grudge.
“Absolutely he made that easier for Eric,” Henry said. “At first I don’t think he was very happy about it, but he approached it as, it happened now let’s move forward.
“The Masterton? I didn’t know he had been nominated. I hope he wins. I think he deserves it.”
Henry Staal said he had not given much thought before Marc’s eye injury as to whether his sons should have been wearing visors. Jordan and Eric have since adopted the visor while Jared has worn one his entire career.
“Maybe mom did, but they’re professional hockey players and have to make their own decisions,” he said. “Obviously Marc didn’t make the right one, looking back, but I don’t dwell on it.”