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Friday, August 29, 2003
Pirates' enemy No. 1 may come to Portland
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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He's despised by fans of the Portland Pirates, the guy they love to hate. He's the nasty forward, known best for his infamous hit on Saco native Matt Libby the day after Christmas that left Libby unconscious and kept him from hockey for three months last winter. Nothing is official yet, but Darcy Verot, the former Saint John Flames instigator, might soon be a Pirate. Verot is being pursued by the parent Washington Capitals and could join the team at training camp. "All I can say is that we are very interested and hope to get something done here fairly soon," said Shawn Simpson, Washington's director of hockey operations. "Hopefully we'll get something done." Simpson and Pirates Coach Tim Army are attracted to Verot's tenacious grit and edgy style of play. The two watched him closely last season, as the Flames and Pirates played 10 times. "When you watch these players you hate them," said Simpson. "Then as you start to take a step back, you come to the realization you want them on your team. I think we lack that kind of edge." Army noticed how often Verot tied up his skilled forwards, frustrating players like twin brothers Chris and Peter Ferraro and Glen Metropolit to no end. "He kept people on edge. He played aggressively. He was in people's faces," said Army. "He made our skill players uncomfortable. I like the work he did, the intensity and energy he played with. He had people off balance." Verot also impressed Army with his offense. "He had a hand in some big goals," said Army. "I liked the whole package. It made him very, very effective. And we need more of that." No player in recent history has garnered as much hatred from Pirates fans as Verot did last season. Fans wore T-shirts chastising him, booed him endlessly and were keyed emotionally to his every shift. "It's part of pro sports. You have an emotional rivalry with a particular team or player and within five months or a day they're on your team," said Army. "We think he can play a real pivotal role for us and be the type of player we didn't have last year." For Libby, learning he may share a locker room with the guy who nearly cost him his season has been a little tough to hear. Libby was retrieving a puck deep in his defensive zone last Dec. 26, his back to oncoming players, when Verot left his feet, slammed into him and drove him into the boards. Libby fell unconscious onto the ice of the Cumberland County Civic Center for more than a minute before being carried off on a stretcher. Verot was later suspended for the hit. Teammates have been calling Libby, asking if he's heard the rumor. "Obviously it's tough to swallow and we'll see how things play out," said Libby. "But it is in the past. I kind of want to forget about it. You learn quickly in this world it's business, and if he's going to bring something extra and contribute to Washington or Portland in a positive way, that's a good thing." A hit by Verot most likely ended the career of defenseman Nate Forster. The day after hitting Libby, Verot hit Forster cleanly in New Brunswick. Forster has not played since, and will likely retire. Libby's main goal is to return to form. He's never spoken with Verot, and if the two do become teammates, said he plans to handle it professionally. "We'll have to take this one step at a time, deal with it as professionals," said Libby. "My main concern right now is worrying about myself. I want people to take notice when I get to Washington. "Hopefully bygones will be bygones." Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at:
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