http://www.jatkoaika.com/nhl.php?sivu=kolumnit&id=5472
Nice article...though it's finnish, maybe somebody have time to translate it.
Edit. here is a little bit of translation, I tried to pick the best parts.
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George Parros, enforcer, economist
Anaheim Ducks' enforcer George Parros looks like a remain of the golden age of hockey violence from the 70's
with his mustache and long hair. If you look deeper to this classy retro looking guy you find more than scary
NHL goon.
Looking at George's training it doesn't take a long when you notice what his role is. He is noticeable slower and
clumsier than his teammates but he does the same practises determinedly. George's thick mustache and long dark hair make him look like the old time goons that terrorised the same rinks 25-30 years ago.
For the writer of this article George Parros' cool retro look brings good and beloved NHL memories from the past.
Like the time when Tiger Williams made Dave Semenko mad before the game by insulting him in tv interview. Or the
game where, Flames brought Stu Grimson to fight Dave Brown. After the fight when Grimson was laying down on the
corner with his jaw crushed, Brown skated front of the Flames bench and said "please do not bother sending
anybody else" with serious face.
"He looks like something straight out of Slapshot", says a Edmonton Journal hockey reporter who is sitting
beside me. Yep, that's my favourite movie.
After the training when Parros is taking of his old Jofa-shoulder pads he is circled by local
(Edmonton) hockey reporters but they don't ask about fights. George Parros answers questions about his
education.
Anaheim Ducks' GM Brian Burke is clearly old school guys who believes for the need of an enforcer and muscle
on the bench. You don't always have to use "the muscle" but sometimes you can make opponents actions
more fair with the knowledge who is sitting on the bench. George Parros was the right guy for this job.
Parros:
"I think, that there is still need for enforcers. The role is smaller now but it has changed that you have
to know how to play also. Bigger guys is still needed. Hockey is a violence sport where is a lot of contacts and
crowds also likes this part of the game. I think fights are part of the game so I don't think that they vanish but
lately their importance has decreased."
Parros:
"I was disappointed when I had to leave LA Kings but I wasn't the one they wanted and now it's good
to be wanted here in Anaheim. I am really satisfied how things went after all. It's good to be at Southern
California and to see hockey getting bigger there. I've had opportunity to see 2 sides of the California triangle.
Rivalry is fierce and fun."
Parros:
"I have never wanted a real job.
"It's hard to say what to do after hockey. But if I can maybe I would like get to management/manager jobs in
hockey, something like that but first you have to play to get positions like that. I don't think I will be
working as an economist for a long time" laughs Parros.
Selänne knows that the players like Parros takes care that talented players can do their job.
Selänne:
"George is really likeable. In the training he has been surprisingly good, but in the
games when you get 4 to 5 shifts there's no need to try anything amazing. I appreciate all the enforcers who
have came to the league because it isn't easy job."
Parros about his look:
"I think this a great look. I guess the hockey players used to look like this. I'm not
going to shave my mustache for a long time"
When I mentioned that someone wrote that mustache and long hair should be required in NHL George agreed.
"Ha ha, I think the same they should be"
George Parros is an enforcer with different background with accurately specified role in maybe the league's
best team.
If NHL gets rid off the enforcers/goons it will lose bunch of great people. Everybody who has toured NHL dressing
rooms have never met an enforcer they didn't like.
El mustachio
kindly exit this thread now
