The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Stajan with their second-round pick, 57th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He described being chosen by his hometown team as a "dream come true". He returned to Belleville for his final OHL season in 2002–03 where he finished 8th in league scoring with 94 points. He played his second all-star game for the Eastern Conference, and was named to the OHL's third All-Star Team following the season. Stajan was also a member of the Canadian national junior team at the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championships. He scored a goal and an assist in six games to help Canada win the silver medal.