Staal and his 'Crew' take to the ice

The Hurricanes' Eric Staal took to the RBC Center ice twice Tuesday.

The first time was Tuesday morning for the Hurricanes' scheduled practice, and Staal skated and worked hard. But the second time on the ice was decidedly special — and, Staal said, a lot of fun.

Staal skated with the Capital City Crew, which allows 32 underpriviledged kids from Boys and Girls Clubs in Wake County the chance to learn the game of ice hockey while also learning life skills. The Canes' star drew oohs and ahs from the kids, especially when he sped down the ice at full tilt and fired a slapshot.

"It's my opportunity to give back to kids who would love and dream to play hockey but it doesn't work (financially)," Staal said. "It can be expensive. ... For people who are less fortunate and would like the opportunity to play sports, and in this case hockey, and for me to be able to give back and help out with something pretty neat, with the equipment and basic needs and to give them the chance on the ice, is pretty cool."

The Capital City Crew program was formed through a partnership of the Hurricanes, Raleigh Youth Hockey Association, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wake County and the NHL's "Hockey is for Everyone" initiative. The Crew is the first HIFE program in the South.

Staal personally donated 20 full sets of equipment through his relationship with Nike/Bauer. The NHL Players Association also committed a $10,000 grant to the Capital City Crew.

"Growing up, having three younger brothers, knowing it can expensive to play the game of hockey, we had a lot of used equipment," Staal said., smiling "I was fortunate to be the oldest, so I got the new stuff and my brothers got the hand-me-downs."

Crew program director John Scott said that at their first practice the main concern of the kids was "how to get up" on their skates.

"There were a lot of spinoramas and snow angels," he said. "Now they can shoot and pass and skate with the puck. Their confidence has grown."

And they've been on the RBC Center ice with Staal, an All-Star,

The RBC Center session was hosted by the Hurricanes' Kids 'N Community Foundation.