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9 questions with the Avs' Darcy Tucker

By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 8, 2008 at 2:02 p.m.
Updated October 8, 2008 at 5:25 p.m.

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Darcy Tucker will face his former Maple Leafs teammates.

Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press

Darcy Tucker will face his former Maple Leafs teammates.

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9 questions for Darcy Tucker

Avalanche forward

He has engaged in a fight during pregame warm-ups, used an opponent's helmet as a weapon and been a fixture in surveys ranking the NHL's most-hated players. After 12 seasons of being fined, suspended, vilified and praised, polarizing forward Darcy Tucker now brings his game to the Avalanche. The Rocky caught up with the 33-year-old Alberta native for a getting-to-know-you interview during training camp.

1 People seem to have a lot of opinions of you, both good and bad. Do you really care what people think?

As a player, you just go out and play the game. As far as fans, I don't think they know me as a person. They just know me as a hockey player. Whatever I do on the ice or whatever happens on the ice, that's part of playing the game. It's my obligation to do the best for my team each and every time I go on the ice. That's all I really concern myself with.

2 So who is Darcy Tucker?

I was brought up to be a really family-oriented person, so family is the most important thing. My wife and kids, my parents and my in-laws, that's what really matters to me.

3 Growing up on a farm in rural Alberta, what was the most difficult chore you had to do?

I had a lot of difficult chores as a kid. I just didn't want to be a farmer. At the end of the day, that wasn't my mold, that wasn't my makeup. My parents pushed me hard to strive for greater things, and, obviously, it's turned out well and I've built a good life for myself and my family. I'm very fortunate to be in the position I'm in.

4 Your new teammate Ian Laperriere says one of the best compliments he gets is when people say they hate playing against him? Do you share that philosophy?

I don't know. I think as long as my teammates realize what I bring to the hockey club, that's all that really matters to me. I've played the game hard for the last 13 years and I will continue to do so here in Colorado.

5 Do you have a new best friend in Laperriere, considering you share a loathing for Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery?

He's treated me great since I walked in the first day. He's part of this organization that really reaches out when guys come here. It's been good. I like a few jokes, so it's good to have "Lappie" around.

6 If you and "Lappie" had five minutes alone with Avery, what would happen?

Um . . . well, he plays the game hard and so do we. Whatever happens on the ice is part of the game.

7 Is there a fine line between dirty play and hard-nosed play because in the end, it's all about doing what it takes to win?

That's my motto. I don't really care too much about the outside stuff as long as my teammates know and understand that everything that happens on the ice is to help us as a group win the hockey game.

8 In a player survey conducted by the Hockey News last year, you ranked No. 3 behind Avery and Jordin Tootoo as the most-hated players in the league. What do you think about that?

I'm going down the list every year. It's great. I'll be out of the top five soon.

9 You're listed at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds. Is there anyone that you'll hesitate to challenge?

I don't think I've hesitated in my career too many times when it comes to shying away from playing the game hard, so I'll continue to do that.

Comments

  • October 9, 2008

    6:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    milehighchef writes:

    I like Darcy, I think that he's a down to earth guy that plays the game hard and doesn't care what people think of him. I hope that he can bring more in the scoring column than in the PIM column. I think we have a couple guys that can go out and get under people's skin. But we need that 3rd or 4th line guy that can go out and aggrivate but score as well. That's what separate's good teams from great one's. They have guys on the team that score up and down the roster. Welcome Darcy!!