Playing Career
Staios was selected in the second round of the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, 27th overall, by the St. Louis Blues. After a three-year career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Niagara Falls Thunder and Sudbury Wolves, Staios spent several years in the International Hockey League (IHL) and the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Blues' minor league affiliates. He was traded to the Boston Bruins on March 8, 1996, along with Kevin Sawyer for Stephen Leach. Staios made his NHL debut with the Bruins, appearing in 12 games to finish the 1995–96 season. The following season, in 1996–97, he was acquired on waivers by the Vancouver Canucks on March 18, 1997. He finished what qualified as his NHL rookie season with a combined 17 points in 63 games between the two teams.
After two more seasons with the Canucks thereafter, Staios was left unprotected for the 1999 NHL Expansion Draft and was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers. He changed his position to right wing, but was often sidelined in his first season with Atlanta, appearing in just 27 games due to a knee injury suffered in a game against the Colorado Avalanche on October 23, 1999. The following season, Staios was named team captain, succeeding Kelly Buchberger for the 2000–01. He recorded 22 points in 70 games in his final year as a Thrasher.
In the 2001 off-season, Staios signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Edmonton Oilers on July 12, 2001. In 2002–03, he led all defenceman in shorthanded goals (3). After the 2004–05 NHL lockout, during which time Staios played briefly with Luleå HF of the Swedish Elitserien, Staios was part of the Oilers team that made a run to the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. He scored one goal and five assists in a career-high 24 playoff games; however, the Oilers lost in game seven of the finals to the Carolina Hurricanes. He had notably taken a penalty in overtime during Game 5 of the Finals, an elimination game for the Oilers. However, Fernando Pisani scored shorthanded to force a Game 6.
An injury shortened 2006-07 season saw Staios play in only 58 games, scoring two goals. He would manage to stay healthy the next two seasons, playing in all 82 games during the 2007-08 campaign and in 80 games during the 2008-09 campaign, recording a combined 30 points.
Staios was sidelined for a month, early in the 2009–10, suffering a concussion on October 6, 2009.
On March 3, 2010, Staios was traded to the Calgary Flames from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Aaron Johnson and a 3rd round draft pick in 2011. It is the only trade between the franchises in their history. He ultimately missed the majority of 2010-11 due to recurring upper body injury.
On September 30, 2011, Staios signed as an unrestricted free agent with the New York Islanders On April 5th, 2012 Staios played in his 1000th NHL game.
Staios announced his retirement as a player following the 2011-12 season, and on July 25, 2012, was hired as a player development adviser for the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs.
Read more about this topic: Steve Staios
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