George Parros

Infobox Ice Hockey Player

---

image_size = 175px
team = Anaheim Ducks
league = NHL
position = Right Wing
shoots = Right
height_ft = 6
height_in = 5
weight_lb = 232
nickname = (The) 'Stache
former_teams = Colorado Avalanche
Los Angeles Kings
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1979|12|29
birth_place = Washington, PA, USA
draft = 222nd overall
draft_year = 1999
draft_team = Los Angeles Kings
career_start = 2005

George James Parros (born December 29, 1979 in Washington, Pennsylvania) is an American professional ice hockey player of Greek descent, who plays right wing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. He also often assumes the role of "enforcer" for the team. He was part of the 2007 Stanley Cup winning Anaheim Ducks

Playing career

Parros was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the eighth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. A native of Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania, who grew up in Randolph, New Jersey. Parros played high school hockey at the Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey, with whom he won Rookie of the Year honors in 1994–1995, followed by All-State recognition as an upperclassman. [Gulitti, Tom. [http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxMzMmZmdiZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTcwNzQxOTUmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2 "Devil's Jim Dowd paves way N.J. hockey players"] , "The Record (Bergen County)", February 10, 2007. Accessed May 29, 2007. "George Parros, RW, Anaheim: Born in Washington, Pa., the Ducks' heavyweight moved to Randolph and played at Delbarton and Princeton."] After graduating in 1998, he deferred admission to Princeton University to play junior hockey with the Chicago Freeze in the North American Hockey League during the 1998–99 season.

Parros played four years at Princeton University, where he totaled 52 points and 119 PIM in 111 games. He was named team captain for his senior season in 2002–03. While at Princeton, Parros majored in economics and wrote his senior thesis on the West Coast longshoremen's labor dispute [Princeton University Theses Catalog - George Parros [http://libweb5.princeton.edu/theses/thesesid.asp?ID=87632] ] . Upon graduation, he joined the American Hockey League's Manchester Monarchs, a Kings affiliate. Parros remained with the team through the 2004–05 season. His best season was 2004–05, when Parros had 22 points (14 goals, 8 assists) and 247 penalty minutes.

He made the Kings' roster for the 2005–06 season and scored his first NHL goal October 20 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas against the Dallas Stars. He recorded a goal, an assist and a major fighting penalty in the same game, an achievement known as a "Gordie Howe hat trick." He finished the 2005–06 season with two goals, three assists, and 138 PIM in 55 games.

On October 2, 2006, he was waived by the Kings and picked up by the Colorado Avalanche. Just a month later, on November 13, 2006, Parros was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a 2nd round draft pick and an option to swap 3rd round picks.

While not being a player who scores a lot of goals, Parros has developed a rabid following amongst Anaheim Ducks fans. Fans attending games can be seen wearing false mustaches and signs reading "Parros Nation", "Beware of the 'Stache", "Manly" & "Tough", amongst other things. He was a member of the Anaheim Ducks team that won the Stanley Cup in 2007.

Mustache

Parros is known for the large mustache that he often grows during the season, which he has said was inspired by the legendary rock star Sean "Greazy" Bryan, known for his elaborate facial hair and long locks. According to a "Denver Post" article on November 7, 2006, Parros received grief from teammates in Colorado for shaving the mustache. Parros grew the mustache back, but his short time as a member of the team ended.

"George Parros Mustaches" are also sold at the Anaheim Ducks team store inside Honda Center, with the proceeds going to charity. [ [http://www.pe.com/sports/hockey/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_s2_cup_notes_05.408bc5e.html For Ducks' Parros, games are tough to watch | Sports | Hockey | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California ] ]

According to a "OC Register" article on Jan. 28, 2007, while in college Parros had a fantasy hockey team called the All-Star Mustaches. Growing up, Parros and his brother Jeff would have mustache-growing competitions. [ [http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/columns/article_1557575.php Sports: 'stache back - OCRegister.com ] ]

In addition to his mustache, George Parros is known for growing his hair long. When the hair reaches the appropriate legnth he donates his hair to " Locks of Love " ( a charity organization that makes wigs for children that have lost their hair due to medical conditions ).

Career statistics

ee also

*Enforcer (hockey)
*Captain (ice hockey)
*List of NHL seasons
*List of NHL players

References

External links

* [http://www.georgeparros.com GeorgeParros.com]
*hockeydb|45094
* [http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/columns/article_1557575.php Article on 'the 'Stache']
* [http://www.parrosnation.com ParrosNation.com]