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| 1982 NHL DRAFT PICK |
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Pat Verbeek
Selected in
third round
No. 43 overall by New Jersey
Born
May 24, 1964
 | Position:
Center
Height: 5-9 Weight: 190
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| BEFORE THE DRAFT |
Last Team:
Sudbury (OHL)
Birthplace:
Sarnia, Ontario (Canada)
Hometown: Wyoming, Ontario |
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| PRE-DRAFT
STATISTICS | | Year |
Team | League |
GP | G |
A | TP |
PIM | | 1979-80 |
Petrolia | Jr. B |
41 | 17 |
24 | 41 |
85 | | 1980-81 |
Petrolia | Jr. B |
42 | 44 |
44 | 88 |
155 | | 1981-82 |
Sudbury | OHL |
66 | 37 |
51 | 88 |
180 |
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PRE-DRAFT AWARDS AND HONORS
OHL Emms Family Award (Rookie of Year): 1981-82 (Sudbury)
Miscellaneous: Rated in The Hockey News draft preview issue as the
No. 15 OHL prospect for the 1982 NHL draft. ... Was
Sudbury's first-round pick, No. 3 overall in 1981 OHL priority selection.
... Played center throughout his minor hockey career and first OHL season. |
| NHL CAREER |
Debut: March 21, 1983 (N.Y. Rangers at New
Jersey)
Numbers: 12, 16 (New Jersey); 16
(Hartford); 17, 16 (N.Y. Rangers); 16 (Dallas); 15 (Detroit)
Stanley Cup:
1999.
Playing Status:
Retired April 23, 2003 |
| CAREER NHL STATISTICS | | Years |
Teams | GP |
G | A |
TP | PIM | | 1983-2002 |
New Jersey, Hartford,
NYR, Dallas, Detroit | 1,424 |
522 | 541 |
1,063 | 2,905 |
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| CAREER NHL PLAYOFF STATISTICS |
| Years | Teams |
GP | G |
A | TP |
PIM | | 1988-2001 |
New Jersey, Hartford,
NYR, Dallas, Detroit | 117 |
26 | 36 |
62 | 225 |
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NHL
AWARDS AND HONORS
All-Star Game: 1991 (Hartford), 1996 (N.Y. Rangers)
New Jersey Three-Stars Leader: 1987-88
New Jersey Player of
Year (Fan Club Vote): 1987-88
New Jersey Rookie of Year (Fan Club
Vote): 1983-84
Hartford Kravitz Award (MVP): 1990-91
Hartford Three-Stars Leader: 1990-91
Hartford WTIC True Grit Award (Determination): 1989-90
Hartford
Booster Club MVP: 1990-91
Hartford Captain: Oct. 12, 1992,
until March 23, 1995
New Jersey Records: Most goals in one season (46 in 1987-88), most
goals by a right wing in one season (46 in 1987-88)
Hartford/Carolina Records:
Most assists by a right wing in one season (45 in 1989-90)
New Jersey Goals
Leader: 1986-87 (35), 1987-88 (46)
New Jersey Penalty-Minutes
Leader: 1983-84 (158), 1984-85 (162)
Hartford Points
Leader: 1990-91 (82), 1993-94 (75)
Hartford Goals
Leader: 1989-90 (44), 1990-91 (43)
Hartford Penalty-Minutes
Leader: 1989-90 (228), 1990-91 (246), 1991-92 (243), 1993-94 (177)
Hartford Playoffs Penalty-Minutes
Leader: 1990 (26), 1991 (40)
N.Y. Rangers Playoffs Penalty-Minutes
Leader: 1995 (20)
Dallas Penalty-Minutes
Leader: 1997-98 (170), 1998-99 (133)
Dallas Playoffs Assists
Leader: 1997 (3, tie)
1982-83: Played on first New Jersey Devils team.
Scouting Career: Named
Detroit pro scout on Sept. 7, 2006, and remained in that position through
2006-07 season.
Broadcasting Career: Worked as Detroit TV studio analyst (part-time
role) while out of hockey during 2002-03 season. ... Named Detroit part-time
TV color commentator prior to 2003-04 season and remained in that position
until Sept. 7, 2006.
Miscellaneous: Drafted by former Colorado Rockies team that had already
committed to moving to New Jersey for 1982-83 season. The team, however, had
no official name at the time Verbeek was drafted. ... Called up to New
Jersey for balance of 1982-83 season after his Sudbury team failed to
qualify for 1983 OHL playoffs. ... Played center for New Jersey in 1982-83
and 1983-84. ... Also played right wing for New Jersey in 1983-84. ... Tied
New Jersey franchise record (since broken) for assists in one game by a
rookie with three vs. Winnipeg on Feb. 22, 1984. ... Missed start of 1985-86
season with the flu, an illness contracted in October 1985. ... Became a
full-time right wing for New Jersey during 1985-86 season after having split
time between center and right wing. ... Played on line with Aaron Broten and
Kirk Muller for New Jersey in 1986-87. ... Missed parts of 1986-87 season
with pulled side muscle, an injury suffered in March 1987, and with right
knee injury, suffered during New Jersey's March 29, 1987, game vs. St.
Louis. ... Set New Jersey single-season record (since broken) with 17
power-play goals in 1986-87. ... Tied New Jersey franchise record (since
broken) for consecutive games with at least one point during 1987-88 season
(12 from Dec. 26, 1987, to Jan. 19, 1988). ... Missed part of 1987-88 season
with strained ligament in left knee, an injury suffered during New Jersey's
Jan. 25, 1988, game vs. Buffalo. ... Set New Jersey record (since broken)
for shots in one game with 10 vs. Pittsburgh on March 29, 1988. ... Set New
Jersey single-season records (since broken) for game-winning goals (8),
points by a right wing (77) and plus-minus rating (plus-29) in 1987-88. ...
Missed part of 1988-89 season with bruised chest, an injury suffered when he
was checked by Paul MacDermid during New Jersey's Oct. 28, 1988, game vs.
Hartford. ... Left New Jersey in 1989 with franchise records (since broken)
for career goals (170), career power-play goals (53), career penalty minutes
(943), career minor penalties (309) and career hat tricks (5). ... Began
playing left wing as well as right wing after trade to Hartford in 1989. ...
Played on line with Ron Francis for Hartford in 1989-90 season. ... Named
NHL Player of the Week for week ending March 4, 1990. ... Was only NHL
player to lead his team in goals and penalty minutes for both 1989-90
and 1990-91 seasons. ... Played mostly left wing for Hartford during
1990-91 season, before shifting back to primary duties on right wing the
following season. ... Named NHL Player of the Week for the week ending Oct.
20, 1991. ... Named Hartford captain and signed largest contract in
franchise history in October 1992. His deal was for $3.3 million over three
years, including 1992-93 season, which was renegotiated to replace the final
year of arbitration deal he had been awarded earlier in 1992. Verbeek was to
earn $950,000 in 1992-93 instead of the $820,000 he was due. He was also
given a $150,000 signing bonus and guaranteed $1.1 million in both 1993-94
and 1994-95. ... Was Hartford's representative to NHLPA during latter years
with Whalers. ... Scored his 400th career NHL goal for N.Y. Rangers on Jan.
10, 1996, vs. San Jose. ... Scored goal and assisted on Ray Bourque's game-winner in
1996 NHL All-Star Game at Boston. ... Missed parts of 1995-96 season with
left knee injury, suffered in N.Y. Rangers' Feb. 17, 1996, game at Ottawa,
with separated shoulder, an injury suffered during N.Y. Rangers' March 1, 1996, game
vs. Buffalo, and with back spasms, suffered during N.Y. Rangers' April 7,
1996, game at New Jersey. He was out with shoulder injury from
March 2, 1996, until N.Y. Rangers' March 31, 1996, game at N.Y. Islanders.
... Signed three-year contract with Dallas as a Group III
unrestricted free agent on July 3, 1996. .... Played in his 1,000th NHL game
for Dallas on Nov. 11, 1996, at Anaheim. ... Missed part of 1996-97 season
with sprained knee, an injury suffered during Dallas' Jan. 4, 1997, game at
Boston. ... Became first player in NHL history to have 400 career goals and
2,500 career penalty minutes when he achieved feat during 1997-98 season
with his 2,500th penalty minute during Dallas' March 20, 1998 game vs.
Carolina. ... Missed remainder of 1998-99 season and start of 1999 playoffs
with sprained knee, an injury suffered in Dallas' April 14, 1999, game vs.
Phoenix. ... Suspended one game by NHL during 1999 playoffs for slashing
Pierre Turgeon's knee with 2:18 left in Game 1 of Dallas' second-round
playoff series vs. St. Louis on May 6, 1999. Jamal Mayers of the Blues, who
slashed Darryl Sydor two minutes later in retaliation for the Verbeek slash,
was also given a one-game suspension, with both players forced to sit out
Game 2. ... Became a Group III unrestricted free agent after winning Stanley
Cup with Dallas in 1999, but failed to catch on with any team during
off-season and had to wait until start of 1999-00 season before finding a
new NHL home. ... Signed two-year contract with Detroit as
a Group III unrestricted free agent on Nov. 10, 1999. ... Recorded his 500th
NHL assist for Detroit on Jan. 19, 2000, at Vancouver. ... Scored 1,000th
NHL point for Detroit on Feb. 27, 2000, vs. Tampa Bay. The point came as an
assist on a goal by Steve Yzerman just 40 seconds into the game. ... Scored
500th career NHL goal for Detroit on March 22, 2000, vs. Calgary, beating
Flames goalie Fred Brathwaite. By scoring that goal, he also became the
first and only player in NHL history with 500 career goals and 2,500 career
penalty minutes. ... Signed with Dallas
as a Group III unrestricted free agent on Aug. 31, 2001. ... Missed part of
2001-02 season with bruised knee, an injury suffered during Dallas' Nov. 29,
2001, game at Calgary. ... Missed remainder of 2001-02 season with strained
groin, suffered during what would prove to be his final NHL game for Dallas
on April 1, 2002, vs. Columbus. ... Became Group III unrestricted free agent
following 2001-02 season, but failed to catch on with another NHL team and
made his retirement official at end of 2002-03 season.
Saving
Verbeek's Thumb: A bizarre farming accident nearly cost Verbeek half of
his left thumb during the 1985 off-season. On May 15, 1985, while working on
a corn-planting machine (auger) on his 200-acre farm near Forest, Ontario,
Verbeek had his thumb cut off between the knuckles. In addition, three
fingers on his left hand were severely lacerated. The accident happened
while Verbeek was reaching into a fertilizer bin to prevent a stray piece of
paper from finding its way into the system and damaging equipment. In doing this, he
slipped into the machinery. His left hand went directly into the moving
auger, which sliced off his thumb and cut into his fingers. The injury was a
clear threat to his hockey career, but swift reaction by Verbeek's
brother Brian saved the day. Brian immediately loaded Pat into his truck and
rushed him 20 miles to St. Joseph's Hospital in Sarnia, Ontario.
Unfortunately, they did not bring the severed portion of Verbeek's thumb
with them. Once they reached the hospital, Brian Verbeek phoned home and
told his father, Gerry Verbeek, to go out to Pat's farm and look for the
thumb in one of four fertilizer bins where it would have landed. Gerry
Verbeek promptly found the thumb and transported it to the hospital, where
doctors managed to surgically re-attach it. The microsurgery operation took
six hours, and literally saved Verbeek's career. After the operation,
Verbeek went to University Hospital in London, Ontario, where he underwent
physical therapy to regain the use of his hand. By August, he was able to
lift weights, and he later made it through New Jersey's 1985 training camp
with no problems.
Verbeek's Holdout: Verbeek missed the entire
1991 preseason and the first three games of the 1991-92 season due
to a contract dispute with Whalers management. The problems traced back to
the summer of 1991. Verbeek, who made $270,000 in 1990-91, was entering his
option year in 1991-92, and Hartford was looking to renegotiate that final
season as part of a new, long-term contract. The Whalers offered Verbeek and
his agent, Ron Salcer, a four-year, $2.4 million deal paid out at $600,000
annually. The offer was the biggest contract proposal in the history of the
Whalers franchise, but it was not enough for Verbeek. Unhappy with the shape
of negotiations, Verbeek fired Salcer and went to Team Canada's training
camp for the Canada Cup without a new agent in place. Verbeek didn't last
long at the training camp, as he was among the first players cut. He hired a
new agent in Tony Abbatine, turned his attention back to the Whalers, and
reported to training camp without a new contract in September 1991. Verbeek
and Abbatine asked for contracts worth an average of $1.3 million per year.
Contract negotiations continued with Verbeek in training camp, but he
remained unhappy with Hartford's offer and immediately threatened to leave.
On Sept. 10, 1991, Hartford was willing to increase its offer to $700,000
per year, although the Whalers said they would go no higher than that. On
Sept. 13, 1991, Verbeek delivered on his threat, leaving the team at
Abbatine's urging and going home to Wyoming, Ontario. Because he left the
team while still under contract for a year, Verbeek was fined daily by the
Whalers during his absence. He also cost himself a chance to be named
Hartford's captain for 1991-92. Whalers general manager laughed at
Abbatine's demands, saying Verbeek would never be paid that much money.
Abbatine had never dealt with NHL players prior to Verbeek, and his main
negotiating experience was in the much higher-paying sport of baseball.
Abbatine ultimately decided to let Verbeek's case go to an NHL arbitrator
because he believed he could argue successfully for his client. Verbeek,
however, grew tired of waiting for the arbitration hearing. On Oct. 12,
1991, he decided he wanted to return to the team regardless of what Abbatine
might say. He opted to play out the final year of his contract while he
waited for arbitration to run its course. Although some Hartford fans booed
Verbeek when he finally returned, things got even worse for him when the
team decided not to renew his alternate captain status. Verbeek's
arbitration hearing was finally held in Toronto on Dec. 11, 1991, and in the
end, Abbatine's strategy prevailed in bringing the Whalers above their
$700,000 ceiling. NHL arbitrator Monte Harris needed more than two months to
reach his final decision on Feb. 14, 1992. Harris ruled that Verbeek would
get a two-year contract worth $820,000 per season. It was the largest
arbitration award ever given to a player on a U.S.-based NHL team. Yet,
ironically, Verbeek's contract did not make him the team's highest player.
That honor went to John Cullen, who was earning $900,000 in 1991-92 as a
result of a four-year deal he and agent Salcer negotiated in early October
1991. Verbeek would end up waiting until his contract was renegotiated in
October 1992 to finally become the team's highest-paid player.
The Bar Brawl:
On April 1, 1994, Verbeek was fined $500 by Hartford for his role in a March
25, fight outside a Buffalo nightclub. The fight took place between Whalers
players Verbeek, Geoff Sanderson, Chris Pronger, Mark Janssens, Marc Potvin,
Todd Harkins and assistant coach Kevin McCarthy, who all got into a dispute
with bouncers at the Network nightclub owned by Buffalo Bills quarterback
Jim Kelly. The bouncers accused the hockey players of instigating the fight,
but an NHL review cleared them of this accusation. Nevertheless, the players
were charged with trespassing, to which they pleaded guilty. Hartford
initially suspended all the players, but reduced their penalty to $500 fines
(donated to charity) after the NHL deemed they were not at fault for the
fight. The Whalers did, however, suspend McCarthy and assistant coach Paul
Gillis two games for allowing 19-year-old Pronger to enter the nightclub
even though they knew he was underage. The fight took place after 3 a.m. on
a Saturday, but the players insisted they had not started the fight or
thrown punches at the bouncers. |
| NON-NHL CAREER |
Post-Draft Teams:
Sudbury (OHL)
World Cup of Hockey: 1996 (second place)
World Championships: 1989 (silver medal), 1994 (gold
medal)
World Junior Championships: 1983
(bronze medal)
NON-NHL
AWARDS AND HONORS
Sudbury Captain: 1982-83
Miscellaneous: Never played in
minor leagues. ... Also played right wing for Sudbury in 1982-83. ... Named
OHL's hardest-working player in a 1982-83 poll of league coaches. ...
Attended Team Canada training camp for 1991 Canada Cup, but did not make
final tournament roster. ... Worked on family farm in Wyoming, Ontario,
during off-seasons of his early NHL playing days before purchasing his own
farm near Forest, Ontario. ... Was active in charitable causes during his
playing days in Hartford, including work with team's anti-hunger program,
Special Olympics and the Leukemia Society. ... Spent 2002-03 season with his
family in Detroit prior to his official retirement.
Personal: Nicknamed "Beeker"
and "Little Ball of
Hate." ... Full name is Patrick Verbeek. ... Older brother of former
minor-leaguer Brian Verbeek and minor-leaguer Tim Verbeek. |
| HOW HE GOT AWAY |
| TRADE:
New Jersey traded Verbeek to Hartford in exchange for Sylvain Turgeon on
June 17, 1989. Verbeek did not actually find out about the deal until June 27, 1989,
when he returned from a hunting trip in a remote section of Ontario. |
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|
SNAPSHOT '82 | | Total Selected: |
252 | | Forwards: |
152 | | Defense: |
82 | | Goaltenders: |
18 | | Major Junior: |
129 | | Tier II/Jr. B: |
27/4 | | College Players: |
20 | | High School: |
37 |
| Canadian: |
152 |
| Euro-Canadian: |
3 | | USA Citizens: |
62 | | U.S.-Born: |
62 |
| European: |
35 |
| Reached NHL: |
109 |
| Stanley Cup: |
18 | | Hall of Fame: |
0 |
| All-Star Game: |
14 |
| Year-end All-Star: |
4 |
| Olympians: |
37 |
| Picks Traded: |
50 |
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