“Wasn’t a total rebuild and that was very attractive” – Pat Verbeek on joining as Anaheim Ducks GM

“Wasn’t a total rebuild and that was very attractive” – Pat Verbeek on joining as Anaheim Ducks GM

Pat Verbeek

Pat Verbeek aka the “Little Ball of Hate” retired from the National Hockey League (NHL) in 2002 after 20 seasons, 1,426 games, and one Stanley Cup. The former Canadian ice hockey player finished with the distinction of being the only player in the tournament history to amass more than 500 goals and upward of 2,500 penalty minutes.

The Ontario native Verbeek has represented some of the top teams of the league including the likes of New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings. He is now associated with the Anaheim Ducks as General Manager, hired in early February this year.

“Once they said, ‘OK, Pat, you can’t play hockey anymore’ — this is what they tell you, that’s how you come to the realization you’re no good anymore and you’re never coming back — I started to do things I never got to do as a player,” said Verbeek.

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“Knew I’d like it – back at the rink, watching and analyzing pro hockey”

Anaheim Ducks players
Anaheim Ducks players

“Part of me enjoyed it,” said Verbeek, 57. “But at that point in particular I was still intense. I hadn’t mellowed out yet. I’ve mellowed a long way since my playing days.”

“I knew I’d like it,” he added. “I was back at the rink, watching and analyzing pro hockey. I felt comfortable again.”

Pat went on to express his interest in taking the GM role at the Ducks and how everything has been going thus far.

“It wasn’t a total rebuild, and that was very attractive,” Verbeek signed off. “And then ownership is a huge thing. [Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli] had been supportive of their managers over the years, and that stands out.”

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