RALEIGH, N.C. -- Eric Staal, the leading scorer in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2006 when the Carolina Hurricanes won the Cup, had his jersey retired in a pregame ceremony before the Hurricanes hosted the Anaheim Ducks at Lenovo Center on Sunday.

The Hurricanes tried to give Eric Staal a victory on his big day with a third-period rally, but the Ducks came away with an overtime win on Cutter Gauthier’s second goal of the game.

Eric Staal played 12 of his 18 seasons in the NHL with the Canes. Sunday, he’ll notch another milestone: His jersey will be retired at Lenovo Center.

Eric Staal, a Thunder Bay, Ontario, native and former No. 2 overall pick, became the fourth player to have his number retired by the Carolina Hurricanes when his No. 12 was raised at the Lenovo Center prior to a 3-2 OT loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Thunder Bay’s Eric Staal's No. 12 has been raised to the rafters at Raleigh, N.C.’s Lenovo Center. The Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday retired the Thunder Bay forward’s number, honouring one of the franchise’s greatest players, alongside Ron Francis, Rod Brind’Amour and Glen Wesley.

Eric Staal’s iconic No. 12 has been raised to the rafters in Raleigh. Ahead of Sunday’s contest versus the Anaheim Ducks, the Carolina Hurricanes recognized their former captain by raising his jersey number to the rafters at the Lenovo Center.

As a player for the Carolina Hurricanes, Eric Staal didn’t have to sit through many ceremonies like the one retiring his No. 12 on Sunday. Thanks to him and his teammates, the Canes have a lot of them these days.