Darcy Hordichuk Picks Up First FM in Edmonton

Fresh off of recuperating from a knee injury, Darcy Hordichuk picked up his first regular season fighting major as a member of the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.

His opponent, Brad Staubitz, was itching for Hordichuk to drop the gloves the last time the Oilers met up with the Minnesota Wild. Hordichuk drew two double minors out of Staubitz that game. The Oilers scored during one of the power plays. Hordichuk's discipline has helped his team, but has its fair share of critics.

Nine days off the IR, Hordichuk was ready for the right moment to test his knee with a fight. “My knee held up, and it's feeling pretty good.” Hordichuk said in a phone interview.

“You look at [Staubitz’s] fight card, and he's a smart technical fighter. My goal was to calm the team down and gain some respect back.” After waiting a decade to face Staubitz, Hordichuk thought the 2:12 minute mark of the first period was a good time. “If it wasn't going to happen at that time, then it probably wasn't going to happen at all. We were both on the ice toward the beginning of our shifts.”

Hordichuk’s discretion has gained the trust of his coaching staff, adding “They believe in me and my instincts.”

While this was his first regular season bout, Hordichuk had an active preseason, fighting three times.