New bride, new team, older brother: Jordan Staal excited about opportunity with Hurricanes

Joedy McCreary, The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. - It's been an unforgettable weekend for Jordan Staal. First a new bride, then a new team with an older brother.

Staal said Saturday that he was midway through his wedding reception when he found out the Pittsburgh Penguins traded him to his big brother's team — the Carolina Hurricanes.

After Staal turned down a 10-year contract extension to stay in Pittsburgh earlier in the week, the Penguins pulled off the biggest blockbuster at the NHL draft Friday night when they dealt the newlywed for centre Brandon Sutter, defenceman Brian Dumoulin and the No. 8 pick.

Speaking on a conference call Saturday, Staal called it "a very exciting day in my life, but not only mine and (wife) Heather's but in the hockey world as well."