If Parker Lucas Staal was growing up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, like his dad and uncles, it would be a done deal. He would play hockey. No question.
But ...
"He's a North Carolinian now," Eric Staal says of his new-born son. "May be basketball.
"My wife is tall. I'm tall. Who knows?"
Parker may be a center like his pop, but it may be for the Tar Heels or Wolfpack or Blue Devils on the hardwood. Born Tuesday, he weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was the first child for Eric and wife Tanya. Eric said both are doing very well.
So let's say Parker does play hockey (a safe play, by the way) despite the Tobacco Road home address. Will he be a forward like his dad and uncles Jordan and Jared or a defenseman like his uncle Marc?
"He won't be a goalie," Eric says. "He's too smart for that."
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at 
Comments
Congrats To
Fri, 09/25/2009 - 11:09 — esteban1949Tanya & Eric Staal...and wouldn't be something say 17 years from now...thse of us who are still alive,kicking and around read that Parker signed a leter of intent to play here in North Carolina..say like at APP State or Wake ?? Not that the "other" choices aren't bad or wrong...but more choices are better no ?? But maybe Parker will follow in his dad's or uncles shadows...and have skates on before he can run a mile or 2..after all one never knows...well time to get the last of my chores done so i can listen to tonites game uninterupted... Go Canes !!
I would think the glimpse
Fri, 09/25/2009 - 03:13 — CaniacforeverI would think the glimpse into that would be the nearly decade long extension he signed last offseason.
A Glimpse
Thu, 09/24/2009 - 18:08 — hurricanesinsiderMaybe a glimpse of Eric's long-long term plans for staying in Carolina?