Carolina Hurricanes acquire rights to Jared Staal

The Carolina Hurricanes have acquired the rights to right wing Jared Staal from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

“While Jared has yet to reach his full potential, we believe his upside gives him a chance play at the NHL level in the future,” Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford said in a statement. “This could be an ideal situation for Jared, to continue his development in the same system as his oldest brother, Eric.”

Staal, 19, totaled 12 goals and 37 assists in 59 games this season for Sudbury of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), leading the Wolves in assists (37). He also played in five games for San Antonio of the American Hockey League (AHL) at the conclusion of Sudbury’s season, earning one assist.

Selected by the Coyotes in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Staal has played four seasons for Sudbury, earning 54 goals and 99 assists (153 points) in 249 games played.

The Hurricanes have until June 1 to sign Staal to an entry-level contract or he would re-enter the draft. The pick traded for Staal originally belonged to the Nashville Predators, and was conditionally acquired by the Hurricanes on June 19, 2008, along with Darcy Hordichuk in exchange for Carolina’s fifth-round pick in 2009.