Few people know that the tough guy “ducks” graduated with honors from Princeton University, one of the twenty most prestigious educational institutions in the USA. Parros has a degree in economics and speaks good Spanish. Yes, he is not the most famous squire. Before him, back in the early 50s, the former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld came out of here. However, with a height of 196 cm and a weight of 105 kg, our hero looks a little like a clown. While the audience loves and knows how to amuse. Not a minute will pass from the beginning of the conversation with the journalist, as George will make an astonishingly comedic face: “And where are your questions about the mustache? It’s better to prepare for the interview.”
The tradition is rooted in a deep, but by no means holostan childhood. Parros' father, Jim, was always proud of his mustache. The cousins of the Anaheim striker participated in the charity comedy show Mustache for Children. There, small citizens with pencils and paints turned into respectable uncles and fooled around in full. When George was in college, his hockey fantasy-team was proudly called the "All-Star Mustache." Already in those days, he and his brother Jeff preferred not to shave the space above their upper lip for weeks. The teachers were in shock. Classmates giggled sarcastically, twirling their fingers at their temples.
Once in Los Angeles, Parros almost physically sensed the ghosts of the past. “I didn’t want to knock out solid ground from under the trainer's feet. I was going to shave. But along the way I came across Mark Crawford. The coach carefully looked me up and down and said:“ Don’t do this. Leave the mustache. "Well, I left ... And in the spring I was fired. The mustache did not bring luck, and for the first time in my life I hated them fiercely," George recalls the beginning of the Enhael career.
Fortunately, the guy did not have to hang out for a long time without work. Soon, a contract with him was signed by Colorado. Realizing how important the first impression and a successful start in the new environment, Parros shaved without hesitation. He also combed his hair and put on his best suit. The first person he met on the way to the locker room - and it was Joe Sakik - resolutely stopped the recruit. "What the hell is that? Why?" - did not believe Joe’s eyes, feeling George’s smooth face. Well, there is no arguing against the authorities - I had to let go of my mustache again.
Our hero took the move to Anaheim calmly, almost casually. I packed my bags, looked at myself in the mirror and, waving my hand, went to California. Surprisingly, no one seemed to notice his mustache there. Parros several times passed by partners, exchanged short phrases, but not a single soul asked a sacramental question. “I just didn’t know whether he had this seriously or not,” explained Chris Kunitz, George’s neighbor in the locker room. “You can’t bring a person to a stroke. Especially if he’s just out of the way.” In the end, Parros himself split. Having gathered everyone, he made an almost official statement. “I’m not going to stand out and draw extra attention to myself. I take my work seriously and don’t want people to see me as an idiot or a clown,” said tough guy.
In 22 matches with the “ducks” Parros spent on ice an average of 4 minutes 51 seconds. If he is entrusted with a place in 16 of the 24 remaining matches, then by the end of the regular championship there will be 180 minutes of playing time in the asset of tough guy. Given that the striker earns an Enkhaelovsky minimum of 450 thousand dollars, it turns out 150 thousand per hour. Not bad for a failed banker. In addition, George is not afraid of dirty work - he loves her. “Anaheim” is now far ahead of rivals in the number of fist fights. Even Chris Pronger tried on a boxing gown! However, the star defender is far from Parros in this regard - with thirteen fights, a Princeton graduate has no competitors in the club.
Does anyone now remember that the guy who grew up in the greenhouse conditions of New Jersey until the fall of 2003 did not wave his fists at all? Neither on ice, nor beyond! The fateful career was the acquaintance with the boxing coach. George, who loved hockey, felt: having endowed him with physical strength, nature did not reward him with the talents of an elite player. We had to look for workarounds to Olympus.
All summer 2003, Parros threshed a pear. And with the onset of autumn, he began to hone his skills in slippery rings. And not without success. “We will never play without heavyweights. I want my best hockey players to feel protected,” Anaheim general manager Brian Burke says loudly. "Do we plan to win every fight? Of course not. But we can do a terrifying show in most battles," said ducks head coach Randy Carlyle.
December 8, 2006. George Parros vs. Donald Brashire of Washington:
The mustache did it. The extravagant image of Parros provoked lively discussions on the Internet and on the host of near-hockey talk shows. The California public fell in love with George, as a native. Having scored two goals in 77 matches in the strongest league of the planet and having given three assists, the guy became the star that they are waiting for and against which they are checking the way. The pugilist suddenly turned into the most recognizable representative of the NHL. “A ridiculous mustache? Come on! It's something special. It's him now. He no longer has the right to shave them,” said Anaheim newcomer Shane O'Brien. “Not a mustache, but a fairy tale,” adds senior comrade Chris Pronger.
In short, Parros may not worry about teammates and fans. “I heard someone up there is not very happy with my appearance,” the forward continues to doubt. “If you have questions, not a problem. Just one word from Dax General Manager Brian Burke, and I will shave everything in no time.” I want to believe that this rainy day will never come. Big hockey needs memorable faces no less than Hollywood. Parros has one of them.
Vladimir BYCHEK