PORTLAND — The newest of the new Portland Pirates is also the oldest kid on the block.
Mark Parrish, he of the 720 NHL games and 215 big league lamplighters, pulled on the Pirates crest (or a practice jersey, anyway) for the first time, Thursday, and spoke about the fit.
Not about the threads, per se, but about his being back in the minors, in Portland, fighting for a job alongside youngsters a dozen years younger than he is.
After 10 solid years as a full timer in the NHL, Parrish spent most of last year in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals.
“I’m very excited,” said Parrish, 33, who has skated down the right flank for six NHL teams. “This is the only (AHL) town I bought a gift for my daughter in (last year), I liked it so much. Not to take anything away from the other towns in the rest of the American League. I just really love Portland.”
And he loves playing hockey, too.
Which is why the former 30 goal scorer (nine seasons back with the Islanders) is willing to do anything to get another shot in the NHL, to make Buffalo, or anywhere, his seventh stop in the Show.
“I’m here to win hockey games,” said Parrish, following the Pirates’ first practice of the year on Civic Center ice. “Whatever they want me to do, what ever role they want me to play. I don’t care. I guess I’ve played long enough that points and goals and assists don’t matter to me. I just want to win hockey games.”
The sentiment is music in the ears of Pirates’ maestro, coach Kevin Dineen.
“I’m very high on him as an individual,” Dineen said. “He’s a guy who brings a lot of experience that he’s willing to share with the younger guys. I think he understands what his role is. We’re going to rely on him to produce for us. I’m really impressed with the step he has. He’s really made a strong effort to be able to contribute at a high level. Whether it’s the NHL or the American League.”
Said Parrish, “The minors might be a scary thing if you don’t know. But if you spend time, it’s great. The people are great, the fan support’s awesome. We all have the same goal. It’s the love of the game. The players want to get back to the NHL, (so) they play their best.”
EMPTY NETTERS: Top goalie Jhonas Enroth practiced with the Bucs for the first time after being sent down by Buffalo. His arrival made free agent netminder Alex Petizian expendable, and the former St. Lawrence U. product was given his release. ”¦ Several former Pirates changed addresses in recent days. Among them is Chris Bourque, last year’s Calder Cup MVP with Hershey. Bourque bolted Chocoville for the KHL during the off-season, but has now left Mother Russia for Lugano of Switzerland. Another ex-Buc, Dwayne Zinger, has retired to become head coach of the Queen City Storm (of Cincinnati), a member of the Single A All-America Assn.
— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.
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