Avalanche welcome new enforcer Worrell

Updated: September 3, 2003, 2:14 PM ET

DENVER -- The star-studded Colorado Avalanche will have a new enforcer this season: 6-foot-7 Peter Worrell, who arrived from the Florida Panthers in July for two players and a draft pick.

Worrell, 26, is something of a rarity among NHL enforcers, many of whom wish they could be considered more for their offense. Not Worrell.

"I know (fighting) is a big part of my game, and I'm pretty good at it," Worrell said Tuesday after in an informal workout with his new teammates. "But I enjoy playing more of a Dan Hinote role; I like getting under people's skin and agitating and trying to get people off their game. The only difference is, I'm 6-7, about 250."

With All-Stars Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Paul Kariya, Teemu Selanne and Milan Hejduk, the Avalanche were in need of a protector. They have already taken a liking to Worrell.

"Everybody seems to get along with him," defenseman Derek Morris said. "I think the biggest thing with Pete is he's a better player than people think. He creates a lot of room for himself, and he'll create a lot of room for (Sakic) and everybody else."

Worrell, a native of Pierrefonds, Quebec, has played six NHL seasons, all with Florida. Last year, he had two goals and three assists with a team-high 193 penalty minutes in 63 games -- fifth-most in the league.

Sakic and the Avalanche's other stars were well protected by Scott Parker, Jeff Odgers, Chris Dingman and Warren Rychel from 1999 through last season.

But in 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons, when Brent Severyn and Francois Leroux were the primary enforcers, Sakic missed 35 games due to injury and Forsberg missed 27.

"It's going to be nice to have Peter here," Sakic said of Worrell. "He's a good player. We lost Scott, but he's a nice guy to replace him with."

The Avalanche plays San Jose on Sept. 25 in a preseason game and Parker, now with the Sharks, said he will be ready for Worrell.

Worrell, who led the NHL in penalty minutes with 354 in 2001-02, said he fears no one.

"Anything can happen in any fight," said Worrell, who will make $800,000 this season. "Every guy is tough. Scott Parker was a tough player, and we had a few battles over the years. I respect him a lot. But like I said, I enjoy getting people off their game. And if we have to throw down to settle something, then so be it."

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

ESPN Conversations

comments

MORE NHL HEADLINES