I was very sorry to see the Predators trade F Darcy Hordichuk last week. Darcy was a fan favorite in Nashville for his high energy and eagerness to drop the gloves. If you got a chance to meet him off the ice, you loved him even more. The tough guy is down to earth and easy to talk to. He's also constantly on the lookout to help his friends any way he can. Darcy was my 5 year old son Ross' favorite player by far.
Now Ross has a favorite Canuck, after Darcy skated away from a deal with Carolina in favor of a nice contract with Vancouver. Why did he prefer to play for one over the other? Here's what was reported by The Province, in Vancouver this week:
"I want to play in the west because there are a lot more tough guys and that's my job every night," he said. "I'm so excited. I look back at my career and some of my best games have come in front of Canadian fans because that's my style. I like to run around and hit guys and anybody who's willing to drop the gloves. I'm the kind of guy who won't back down. I know my role and any chance I get to fight Georges Laraque and some of the bigger guys out there, I like to test myself against those guys."
..."I was kind of held back a bit with Jordin Tootoo on the team with the same role as me," added Hordichuk. "In Vancouver, I think I'm a perfect fit."
Which brings up an intriguing possibility next season. I fully expect Darcy to get the Scott Walker treatment - a warm welcome - when he steps onto the Sommet Center ice next fall. But I can't see warm wishes stopping Darcy if he needed to, uh, do what he does. So could we see Hordy and Tootoo brawl? Who would win? For Preds fans it's going to be high drama.
