How Youngster Darren Veitch Made His Mark On The Capitals

When Colorado’s Rob Ramage asked to be traded, the Washington Capitals were quick to make an offer. At that time, in early March, it appeared that Washington’s principal deficiency was a puck-moving, right-hand shooting defenseman who could perform effectively in both ends of the ice.

The Rockies withdrew Ramage from the market, but by season’s end it appeared the Capitals might have found the man they needed—on their own roster.

Suddenly showing the ability that had been foreseen when he was made a first-round draft choice in 1980 was Darren Veitch, the youngster from Regina who turned 22 on April 24.

For much of the season Veitch had masqueraded as Santa Claus to forechecking opponents, repeatedly giving up the puck in his own zone. Over the last 32 games, however, Vietch was an even player, while maintaining his offensive contribution.

In those final 32 games, Veitch collected five goals and 22 assists, finishing with points in 11 of Washington’s last 12 contests. With 53 points, he was the fourth highest-scoring defenseman in the Patrick Division, behind Randy Carlyle, Denis Potvin and Reijo Ruotsa-lainen.

Fans who had hooted Veitch much of the season voted him the team’s most improved player, and both Veitch and coach Bryan Murray felt it was an apt choice.

“I know I played better than last year,” Veitch said. “I was inconsistent at times, but I thought 1 improved. I got a lot more confidence, and Bryan kept me in there when things weren’t going too well. He helped me a lot by not getting down on me.”

Murray was well aware of both Veitch’s ability and shortcomings. He coached Veitch at Regina two seasons ago, when the Pats reached the Memorial Cup finals, and he had him in Hershey much of last season, as well as the Calder Cup playoffs and the first month of this campaign. Veitch came up eight days before Murray replaced Gary Green as coach and missed only one game the rest of the way.

“Darren has a lot of ability, but for a long time he was in a rut,” Murray said. “He hesitated before passing the puck and he got himself and the team in trouble. Finally, I let him know that if there was no change we’d have to trade him. We couldn’t wait forever.”

Despite some criticism, Murray kept Veitch in the lineup. He let Veitch know that he had confidence in him, but his patience was wearing thin. The combination finally paid dividends.

Veitch still has a long way to go before he fulfills first-round potential. A major problem is his inability to keep big wingers from muscling their way past him.

“I have to build up my strength,” Veitch said. “I have to work on that this summer. I’ve got to keep up my confidence, too. And I want to forget a lot of games I played this season.

“You have to wonder about all those close ones we didn’t win. We blew some leads in games we should have won. We had a bad start [1-14] but we still had a chance and didn’t make it. You might say we blew it twice. There were signs of good hockey, though. Beating Toronto and Montreal that last weekend gave us some positive thoughts for the summer.”

In past years, Veitch’s thoughts turned to golf as soon as hockey concluded. He is one of the better players in Western Canada and there was speculation that the changeover from golf to hockey was responsible for his slow start in training camp and subsequent assignment to Hershey.

Veitch will be playing golf this summer, but he is committed to a weight program as well. Just to be sure he’s progressing on schedule, he can expect an occasional visitor—a guy named Murray.