Pat Verbeek was a professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 20 years. He was known for his physical play and scoring ability, earning the nickname "The Little Ball of Hate" for his tenacity on the ice.
Verbeek began his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils in 1982, where he quickly established himself as a reliable scorer and tough competitor. He played for the Devils for seven seasons before being traded to the Hartford Whalers in 1989.
With the Whalers, Verbeek continued to excel, scoring 40 goals in the 1990-91 season and earning a spot on the NHL All-Star team. He played for the Whalers for six seasons before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1995.
Verbeek's time with the Rangers was short-lived, as he was traded to the Dallas Stars midway through the 1995-96 season. He played for the Stars for two seasons before being traded back to the Detroit Red Wings, where he had played briefly earlier in his career.
Verbeek played for the Red Wings for three seasons, helping the team win the Stanley Cup in 1998. He then signed with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2001, where he played for one season before retiring in 2002.
Throughout his career, Verbeek was known for his physical play and willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was also a prolific scorer, finishing his career with 1,063 points in 1,424 games.
After retiring from playing, Verbeek went on to work in management for several NHL teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.
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