Dave:
How did you first get involved in
hockey? What inspired you to bring your game to the pro level?
Darcy:
Like any Canadian kid you
grow up playing hockey. I always had fun with it and had a passion to
follow it as far as it could take me and I was lucky enough for it to
have brought me to the pro level.
Dave: What part of your game do your feel will need the most improvement if you are to make it back to the NHL?
Darcy: Consistency--I think if I play my game at a consistently high level I will make it back.
Dave: Crunch fans first became acquainted with Darcy Verot during the three seasons from 1999-2002 when you were with WBS. What are your memories of the battles against the Crunch?
Darcy: Obviously the 5 game series we had in 2001 that could have gone either way. Our team really took the momentum from that series to carry us to the finals.
Dave: Congratulations on your contract! Were you surprised that Columbus had that kind of confidence in you?
Darcy: Thanks,
I am confident of my ability to play at that level so I don't think
surprised is the right word. Definitely appreciative though.
Dave: You have been the go to guy in the face-off circle since you arrived. What is the secret to winning face-offs?
Darcy: I don't know if there is a secret. It has always been a strong point in my game. Timing--it is a battle.
Dave: Fighting has been a big part of your game over the years. One of your fights was Danny Bois in Binghamton. For the fans that were not there, how do you feel that went?
Darcy: I think I definitely won the fight. It was a good one.
Dave: What possessed you to fight giant Martin Grenier? Is there anyone in the league you wouldn't fight?
Darcy: Long history there. I would fight anyone.
Dave: Have you and Brandon Sugden shared fighting tips? What are your impressions of Sugden?
Darcy: We have talked about things. Sugar is as tough as they come.
Dave: I read that in a training camp in 2003, you and Mel Angelstad fought four times in a row! What are you memories of that day and what brought that on?
Darcy: I think that training camp helped me to play in the NHL that season.
Dave: How do you like living in Syracuse? How is it similar to you hometown? How is it different?
Darcy: We really like it. I am from a small farming town of 800 people with no stop lights. It is definitely different.
Dave:
What do you do when not playing
hockey? Hobbies?
Darcy:
We have 3 kids so they
really are my "hobby". I enjoy poker, golf, a good movie.
Dave: If you could have any one of your former teammates back from any team to play with this season, who would it be and why?
Darcy:
Tom
Kostopolous. Best teammate I ever had.
Dave: Who is your favorite (answers in
red)
a) Pro athlete? - Tiger Woods
b) Hockey player while you were growing up? - Wayne Gretzky
c) Non athlete celebrity? - Brad Pitt
d) Musical artist? - Tim McGraw
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Agnew - Very impressed. Seems to handle all the different types of players and keep everyone happy
b) Joakim Lindstrom - Very talented, exciting to watch
c) Tyler Kolarik - Reminds me of a mad dog after someone just stole its bone
d) Joe Motzko - Live to read the BLOG!!
e) Andrew Murray - May be the most consistent first year guy I have played with
f) Jamie Pushor - Great Captain
g) Greg Mauldin - Great speed
Dave: If you were not playing hockey, what sport would you play? Do you think you would be good enough to be a pro at it?
Darcy: Golf....umm
No.
Dave: Who has been the greatest influence on your career thus far?
Darcy: Graham Townshend my former assistant coach
Dave: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are they athletes? Have family members come to see you play?
Darcy:
2 sisters. My
older sister and her family came down last season.
Dave: Who do you hang out with
on the team?
Darcy: everyone--the card players.
Dave: Who do you most admire on the team?
Darcy: everyone.
Dave: How do you feel about the fans? Are you comfortable signing autographs? Are you usually noticed in public?
Darcy: Fine. Yeah I am comfortable. Haven't been noticed anywhere here.
Dave: What would you like to do when your playing days are over?
Darcy: Farm.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Darcy
Verot for taking
the time to do this interview.